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
As February gets underway, the year's big lotteries are off to a slow start as only one jackpot winner has been crowned between Powerball and Mega Millions.
—
Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 5 Feb. 2026
Veteran forward Kiefer Sherwood made his Sharks debut on Wednesday and, like most of his teammates, made his presence felt after a slow start.
—Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2026
Vail’s Tahoe-area resorts in California also had a slow start through mid-December, but holiday-period snowstorms allowed the company to open more terrain, Katz said.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 5 Feb. 2026
His rebound control remains a work in progress, but particularly early in the game, Ellis was sharp while the Sabres got off to a slow start.
—Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for a slow start
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Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 5 Feb. 2026
Veteran forward Kiefer Sherwood made his Sharks debut on Wednesday and, like most of his teammates, made his presence felt after a slow start.
—Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2026
Vail’s Tahoe-area resorts in California also had a slow start through mid-December, but holiday-period snowstorms allowed the company to open more terrain, Katz said.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 5 Feb. 2026
His rebound control remains a work in progress, but particularly early in the game, Ellis was sharp while the Sabres got off to a slow start.
—Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for a slow start
Cite this Entry
“A slow start.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/a%20slow%20start. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
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