get off on the right foot
Start things positively
To get off on the right foot is to begin something well, making a good first impression or establishing favorable conditions from the start: We wanted to get off on the right foot with the new neighbors.
The opposite, getting off on the wrong foot, means starting badly.
The expression applies to relationships, jobs, projects—any undertaking where initial momentum matters.
- fresh startOpportunity to restart unburdened
- clean slateRecord wiped clear
- new beginningsChances to start again
- beginTo start something
- first dayInitial day of something
hit the ground running · handshake · groundwork · firm handshake · start · set the tone · mutual understanding · step · smile · shared goals · ready · first impression · welcome · break the ice · cooperative spirit · icebreaker · readiness · launch
get off on the right footdig oneself into a hole
Worsen situation through continued action
getting, right, rights, righted, righting, rightful, rightfully, righteous, righteousness