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
Paul George shook off a slow start to finish with 15 points and a season-high 12 rebounds, but the 76ers lost for the fourth time in as many games this season with their three stars in the lineup.
—
CBS News, 27 Dec. 2025
That was just the beginning of another brilliant outing for Miles, who had to pick up more of the scoring slack with leading scorer Marta Suarez getting off to a slow start.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Dec. 2025
Sporting Kansas City’s offseason has gotten off to a slow start.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 18 Dec. 2025
Allegretto said having a slow start to the winter is not completely out of the ordinary.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 12 Dec. 2025
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.
CBS News, 27 Dec. 2025
That was just the beginning of another brilliant outing for Miles, who had to pick up more of the scoring slack with leading scorer Marta Suarez getting off to a slow start.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Dec. 2025
Sporting Kansas City’s offseason has gotten off to a slow start.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 18 Dec. 2025
Allegretto said having a slow start to the winter is not completely out of the ordinary.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 12 Dec. 2025
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 29 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share