スタートライン
also: スタート・ライン
Meanings
1
starting line; start line
Literal use in races and competitions.
The athletes lined up at the starting line.
2
Figurative use for the beginning of a project, career, or endeavor.
This project is still just at the starting point.
Usage patterns
- 〈場所〉に立つto stand at the starting line
The runners stood at the starting line waiting for the gun.
- 同じ〈場所〉に立つto be on the same starting footing (figurative: to start from equal conditions)
Everyone starts from the same point; the rest depends on effort.
- 〈場所〉に戻るto go back to square one
The plan failed, and we were back at square one.