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
The Kings got off to a slow start, missing six of their first seven shots.
—
Hector Amezcua, Sacbee.com, 21 Jan. 2026
But overall, regulatory action is off to a slow start.
—Yuval Levin, The Atlantic, 20 Jan. 2026
As for pacing, the play gets off to a slow start.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Jan. 2026
Darnold will be looking to put an exclamation point on a dramatic resurgence after a slow start to his pro career with the New York Jets.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 18 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for a slow start
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Hector Amezcua, Sacbee.com, 21 Jan. 2026
But overall, regulatory action is off to a slow start.
—Yuval Levin, The Atlantic, 20 Jan. 2026
As for pacing, the play gets off to a slow start.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Jan. 2026
Darnold will be looking to put an exclamation point on a dramatic resurgence after a slow start to his pro career with the New York Jets.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 18 Jan. 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 28 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
