start out
phrasal verb
started out;
starting out;
starts out
Definition of start out
1
: to begin in a specified way
He started out by introducing himself. She started out at a slow jog. The day started out hot and humid. The story started out good, but I didn't like the ending. She started out wanting to be a doctor but became a midwife instead.
—often + with I started out with $100 but I have only $10 left.Let's start out with some warm-up exercises.
2
: to have a specified quality, identity, job, etc., at the start
What started out as a simple idea has become an expensive and complicated project. He started out in teaching before becoming a lawyer.
3
: to begin an important period in one's life or career
The couple is just starting out. She started out on a career in teaching.
4
: to begin a trip
They started out in the early morning.
5
: to have a particular place as a beginning point
The parade starts out at the intersection of First and Main.