a slow start

phrase

: 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

People are banking on a slow start, with quarterback Bo Nix coming back from ankle surgery and an opening slate of the Chiefs, Jaguars, Rams, 49ers, Chargers and Seahawks. — Vic Tafur, New York Times, 17 July 2026

The rangy 6-foot-7 wing out of Florida State had a slow start in the California Classic in San Francisco, but seems to have found his scoring stride in Las Vegas. — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 17 July 2026

Canada’s wildfire season had been off to a slow start, but now more than 6 million acres have burned so far this year, on pace to become the third-highest total on record. — Joshua Partlow, The Atlantic, 16 July 2026

Bergie had a slow start in the Love Island USA villa, struggling to find a lasting connection until Casa Amor brought Taylor into the picture. — Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 13 July 2026

Rhymes for a slow start

• counterpart
• apart
• depart
• flowchart
• forepart
• impart
• pushcart
• rampart
• redstart
• restart
• subpart
• sweetheart