a slow start
idiom
: lack of success at first
Despite a slow start at the box office, the movie's popularity has increased steadily.
The team got off to a slow start this season but is playing well now.
Examples of a slow start in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Brown got off to a slow start this season and wasn’t shy about voicing his frustrations.
—
Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2026
Stafford went on to play the entire second half with the injury, shaking off a slow start in the third quarter to lead a game-winning touchdown drive in the final two minutes of the fourth.
—Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 12 Jan. 2026
Since a slow start in Season 1, the co-creators have excelled at pushing the envelope.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 11 Jan. 2026
Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison, who orchestrated the Doncic trade, was fired after the team got off to a slow start this season.
—Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“A slow start.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/a%20slow%20start. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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