off and running

Idioms

Making a good start, progressing well, as in After the first episode the new soap opera was off and running. Originating in horse racing, as the traditional announcement at the beginning of a race (“They're off and running”), this phrase began to be used more broadly in the second half of the 1900s.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Sam said in a loud voice, and he was off and running.

From Literature

But on Monday, the children of Normont stepped into a friendlier scene on campus and were off and running on their new $3.3-million playground, a gift that is far more than sandboxes, grass and gardens.

From Los Angeles Times

A blink later, Mrs. Clarke was off and running.

From Literature

Once Lee had the green light from his director to make a fool of himself, he was off and running.

From Los Angeles Times

The “SNL” veterans were quickly off and running.

From Salon

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023