start out v 1: take the first step or steps in carrying out an action; "We began working at dawn"; "Who will start?"; "Get working as soon as the sun rises!"; "The first tourists began to arrive in Cambodia"; "He began early in the day"; "Let's get down to work now" [syn: {get down}, {begin}, {get}, {start}, {set about}, {set out}, {commence}] [ant: {end}] 2: leave; "The family took off for Florida" [syn: {depart}, {part}, {start}, {set forth}, {set off}, {set out}, {take off}]