head start

H

head start

Meaning

• to start ahead of the official start of an event
• to start something before someone else starts
• to have an advantage over someone else
• a promising beginning
• an advantage given at the beginning
• having an advantage over someone
• starting early or before the starting time
• favorable advantage in the beginning of an event, competition or activity

Example Sentences

1. I know that the paper only has to be in next week, but I would like to get a head start.
2. Could we possibly get a head start on planning mom’s birthday party? I would like to get everything done in time.
3. I was able to get a head start with my training, otherwise I would never be able to complete that marathon.
4. James has a head start because his father owns the company.
5. Being able to speak another language has given her a head start over other candidates.
6. Johnny has quite a head start over children his age, he is already walking.
7. The teachers gave her a five-minute head start at the beginning of the race.
8. They left early so as to get a head start on the rush hour traffic.
9. His military life gave him a huge head start over other candidates during security job interviews.
10. In the early 60’s, NASAs huge budget and large intellectual pool had given them a substantial head start over other international space agencies.
11. You need to get a head start on your final year project if you wish to complete it on time.
12. College students should work hard and study at every opportunity they get to get a head start on their class fellows.
13. He took extra classes to get a head start in his future career.
14. Early to bed will give you a head start in the morning.

Origin

The first known use of this phrase is from the year 1859 while actual recorded texts containing this phrase are from 1885-1890. This phrase has a very interesting background. During the wide spread popularity of ‘Horse Racing’ in the 19^th century, the rule was to align all the horse’s in the beginning of the race by keeping the tip of their head’s in one line. It was observed that some horse’s that had their head a little ahead of others at the beginning of the race usually won and hence the phrase gradually started.

In other words, the idiom originated in the 1850s. The first use of it refers to a horse having its head in front of others at a race. The horse whose head crosses the finish line first is crowned the winner. When the horses line up before starting their heads need to be in line for the race to be fair. If a horse starts with its head in front of the pack, it would usually win the race. The first recorded use of the phrase was in 1859.

Body, Head, Horse