flying start

From sailboat races, where the ships should be 'flying' under full sail as they cross the starting line.

• "The new restaurant got off to a flying start, packing out every night."
• "He puts the brakes on here and there down the next four miles of curves, but then opens her out so that she rocks and rolls through Totnes at a mile a minute for a flying start on the worst bank of the whole trip, five steep miles up to Rattery Box and four not so steep past Brent up to Wrangaton."
• "And six minutes in they should have got off to a flying start. Aluko caused the damage. The winger slipped away from Ledley then stood up a cross to the back post which seemed perfect for Lee Wallace charging in."

• running start
• with flying colours