flying start

Etymology

From sailboat races, where the ships should be 'flying' under full sail as they cross the starting line.

Noun

flying start (plural flying starts)

1. (idiomatic) An especially good start.

   The new restaurant got off to a flying start, packing out every night.

   • 2011 December 29, Keith Jackson, “SPL: Celtic 1 Rangers 0”, in Daily Record‎:

     And six minutes in they should have got off to a flying start. Aluko caused the damage. The winger slipped away from Ledley then stood up a cross to the back post which seemed perfect for Lee Wallace charging in.

2. The start of a sports event in which the competitors are moving when they pass the starting line or initial jump point.

References

• “flying start” (US) / “flying start” (UK) in Macmillan Dictionary