start on

To begin working on something, or begin using or taking something.

• Let's start on dinner.
• He started on his homework after school.
• The doctor has started me on a new treatment.

How to use it: start on something (I'll start on the report after lunch.); start someone on something (The doctor started her on a new medicine.)

Similar words: begin, set about

Opposites: finish

Common phrases: start on something, start on homework, start on treatment

To begin criticizing someone, often angrily or repeatedly.

• Don't start on me again.
• She started on him about his spending.
• Why do you always start on her when she's tired?

How to use it: start on someone about something (Dad started on me about my messy room.)

Similar words: criticize, nag, have a go at

Common phrases: start on someone, start on me

To begin talking or complaining about a subject, often for a long time.

• Don't start me on taxes.
• He started on his favorite topic and talked for hours.
• Once you start her on schools, she won't stop complaining.

How to use it: start someone on something (Don't start him on parking fees; he'll complain for hours.); start on something (Once she starts on politics, nobody else gets a turn.)

Similar words: launch into, go on about

Common phrases: start on politics, start on something