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
Despite a slow start, better snow management may allow the ski season to extend later into the spring.
—
Zach Wichter, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026
The American speedskater got off to a slow start and was skating to catch Ning's time for the rest of his run.
—Sean Nevin, NBC news, 19 Feb. 2026
Both teams got off to a slow start.
—ABC News, 19 Feb. 2026
Byrd got going after a slow start, not scoring for the game’s first 12½ minutes and finishing with 18 points on 6 of 11 shooting.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for a slow start
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Zach Wichter, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026
The American speedskater got off to a slow start and was skating to catch Ning's time for the rest of his run.
—Sean Nevin, NBC news, 19 Feb. 2026
Both teams got off to a slow start.
—ABC News, 19 Feb. 2026
Byrd got going after a slow start, not scoring for the game’s first 12½ minutes and finishing with 18 points on 6 of 11 shooting.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 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 21 Feb. 2026.
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