start out

To begin an activity or enter the first stage of your work or life.

• We started out with little money.
• She started out teaching children.
• Did you start out as a waiter?

How to use it: start out as someone (She started out as a nurse.); start out doing something (He started out selling fruit.)

Similar words: begin, start

Opposites: finish

Common phrases: start out small, start out as someone, start out doing something

To suddenly move out from a place or appear from somewhere hidden.

• A fox started out from the bushes.
• Two men started out from the shadows and blocked the path.
• She cried out when a figure started out of the doorway.

How to use it: start out from something (A figure started out from behind the curtain.)

Similar words: jump out, spring out, emerge

Common phrases: start out suddenly, start out from somewhere, figures start out

To become easy to notice because of a clear shape, colour, or difference from the surroundings.

• The red letters start out clearly.
• As the light changed, the carved figures started out against the wall.
• The mountain's outline started out sharply against the pale sky.

How to use it: start out against something (The white letters started out against the dark stone.)

Similar words: stand out, become conspicuous

Common phrases: start out clearly, start out sharply, features start out