hitting the ground running
Starting at speed
Hitting the ground running means beginning a task or role with immediate effectiveness, without needing time to prepare or adjust.
The image is of someone landing from a jump already in motion: She hit the ground running on her first day and closed two deals by noon.
Often used for new jobs, projects, or responsibilities where quick action is expected.
- leapSudden springing movement
- jump into actionBegin acting immediately
- sprintBrief maximum-speed effort
- preparednessState of being equipped
- groundworkFoundational preparation for something
launch · execution · day one · optimization · foresight · strategy · initiative · ambition · stride · planning · streamlining · proactive · determination · onboarding · new hire · milestone · hustle · get the ball rolling
hitting the ground runningslow start
Weak initial performance
warming up · testing the waters · dragging one's feet · starting from scratch · false start
hitting the ground runningsteep learning curve
Difficult initial skill acquisition
floundering · false start · trial and error · flying blind · winging it
hitting the ground runningsteep learning curve
Difficult initial skill acquisition
learning the ropes · floundering · starting from scratch · treading water · spinning one's wheels
hitter, hitters, ground, grounds, grounded, grounding, groundless, underground, running