lead off

to take the first step in (a process or course of action) <plans to lead off the news conference with a prepared statement> Synonyms commence, embark (on or upon), enter (into or upon), fall (to), get off, kick off, launch, begin, open, start, strike (into)Related Words create, generate, inaugurate, initiate, innovate, invent, originate; adopt, embrace, take on, take up; establish, father, found, institute, organize, pioneer, set up, spawn; get around (to), get down (to), get round (to)Near Antonyms cease, desist, discontinue, halt, knock off, lay off, quit, stop; close, complete; abandon, forsake, leave; abolish, demolish, destroy, exterminate, extinguish, phase outAntonyms conclude, end, finish, terminate