start off phrasal verb (see also start)

1. to begin something in a particular way, or to begin in a particular way
start something ↔ off with something/by doing something
The theater company started off their new season with a Shakespeare play.
start off with something/by doing something
I started off by drawing the flowers I had collected.

2. to be a particular thing or have a particular quality at the beginning of something, especially when this changes later:
The puppies start off white, and get their black spots later.
start off as
The games start off as a social event, but players soon become competitive.
I started off as a drummer.

3. start something ↔ off to make something begin happening:
We’re not sure what starts the process off.

4. start somebody ↔ off to help someone begin an activity
start somebody ↔ off with
He started me off with some stretching exercises.

5. to begin going somewhere:
I sat in the car for a few minutes before starting off.
start off to/towards/back etc
She started off to school in her new uniform.

6. start somebody off British English informal to make someone get angry or start laughing, by saying something:
Don’t say that; that’ll just start him off.
start somebody off doing something
He made her jump, and that started her off giggling.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲