lead off

to take the first step in (a process or course of action) plans to lead off the news conference with a prepared statement Synonyms commence, embark (on or upon), enter (into or upon), fall (to), get off, kick off, launch, begin, open, start, strike (into)Related Words create, generate, inaugurate, initiate, innovate, invent, originate; adopt, embrace, take on, take up; establish, father, found, institute, organize, pioneer, set up, spawn; get around (to), get down (to), get round (to)Near Antonyms cease, desist, discontinue, halt, knock off, lay off, quit, stop; close, complete; abandon, forsake, leave; abolish, demolish, destroy, exterminate, extinguish, phase outAntonyms conclude, end, finish, terminate