Phrase guide

hit the ground running

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To begin an activity immediately and with full commitment.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • Employers these days look for candidates that can hit the ground running, so that they spend less on training.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

9 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Dutch: direct aan de slag gaan — begin an activity immediately and with full commitment
  • Finnish: ryhtyä heti hommiin — begin an activity immediately and with full commitment
  • French: se mettre au travail tout de suite — begin an activity immediately and with full commitment
  • French: se donner à fond sans attendre — begin an activity immediately and with full commitment
  • German: sofort loslegen — begin an activity immediately and with full commitment
  • Polish: ruszyć z kopyta — begin an activity immediately and with full commitment
  • Polish: ruszać z kopyta — begin an activity immediately and with full commitment
  • Russian: взять с места в карье́р (vzjatʹ s mesta v karʹjér) — begin an activity immediately and with full commitment
  • Swedish: rivstarta — begin an activity immediately and with full commitment