hit the ground running
Begin with momentum
To hit the ground running is to begin a task or job at full speed, without needing time to prepare or adjust: She hit the ground running on her first day.
The phrase evokes someone leaping from a moving vehicle and sprinting immediately.
It often describes new employees or projects that start productively from the outset.
- startTo set going
- preparedMade ready beforehand
- sprintBrief maximum-speed effort
- hustleEnergetic, aggressive action
- seamlessWithout visible joins
all systems go · get cracking · dash · primed · rush · jump · day one · new job · kick off · momentum · launch · onboarding · execute · commence · shake a leg · dive in · from the start · ready
- motion idiomsin motion, on the move, on the go, move forward, move along
- workjob, 9 to 5, jobs, labor, employee
- clichescliche, platitude, bromide, tired phrase, worn phrase
- Fast Startsoff to the races, flying start, quick off the mark, jump start, head start
- office jargonsynergy, circle back, touch base, deep dive, action item
- skill idiomsknow the ropes, cut the mustard, on the ball, sharp as a tack, jack of all trades
hit the ground runningflounder
Struggle awkwardly, or seafood
start from scratch · spin one's wheels · fall flat on one's face · play catch-up · tread water
hit the ground runningtake it slow
feel one's way · dip one's toe in · warm up · get up to speed · find one's feet
hit the ground runningflounder
Struggle awkwardly, or seafood
sink or swim · steep learning curve · trial by fire · wing it
ground, runner, running, underground, hitting, grounds, grounded, outrun, groundwork