early on

Close to start

Early on means at an early stage or near the beginning of a process, period, or sequence of events: Early on in the project, we realized we needed more funding.

The phrase emphasizes timing within a larger span rather than clock time.

It's slightly more casual than simply using "early" alone.

timing

beginning

Initial stage of something

startTo set going
outsetInitial point of something
initiallyAt the outset

first · onset · opening · commencement · dawn · inception · genesis · kickoff · launch · infancy

Opposites

temporal position in a process or sequence

early onat the end

In the final position

at the last minute · late on · late in the day · in the end · down the stretch

timing within an unfolding situation

early onlate in the day

After optimal timing

after the fact · belatedly · in hindsight · retrospectively

Family

early, earlier, earliest, earliness

Familiarity: Top 20,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Everyday, not technical · Rated G