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Region: US | Usage example: She hit the ground running on her first day as director.

Hit the ground running

Meaning

Start with immediate energy and efficiency.

Usage

Used for enthusiastic, proactive starts.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Military, referencing soldiers jumping from aircraft ready for action.

Mid-20th-century American military slang adopted by business.