outsetout‧set /ˈaʊtset/ ●○○ noun 
Examples
It was clear from the outset that there were going to be problems. It’s better to get something in writing right at the outset.outset of A person with higher qualifications can get a better paid job at the outset of their career.
ExamplesEXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
Thesaurus- But at the outset there is always great harm.
- Fourthly, from the outset it is important to be sure that there is agreement with the patient about what is planned.
- Hennepin and La Salle, whose subsequent westward expedition he was to join, struck sparks off one another from the outset.
- I was fairly ignorant of Third World literature at the outset and in many respects still am.
- Prosecutors suspected from the outset that Stoner had fled the country.
- Recognising sharp practice in their dealers from the outset, they would be less likely to blame them for huge losses.
- Stanford used some physical play inside and the playmaking of point guard Brevin Knight to take the lead from the outset.
Longman Language Activatorat the beginning► at the beginning/start
Collocations · At the start it looked as though Italy would win, but Argentina improved as the game went on.· She was nervous at the beginning but she settled down as she got further into her speech.at the beginning/start of · We pay our rent at the beginning of the month.· For homework tonight, start at the beginning of chapter three and read up to page 98.· At the start of the century, barely 3% of the population was literate.
► at first/initially use this to say what happened at the beginning, especially when something different happened later. Initially is more formal than at first: · Barney was quiet at first, but gradually he became more confident.· At first I didn't think Nancy and I would get along.· They offered her the job, initially on a temporary basis but later as a full member of the staff.
► to start with/to begin with especially spoken use this to talk about what happens at the beginning, especially when something different may happen later: · Our employees receive health benefits and $28,000 a year to start with.· Even children who are healthy to begin with wouldn't survive long in these terrible conditions.
► originally at the beginning - use this to talk about the situation at the time in the past when something first started: · Originally, they told me I was only going to work 35 hours a week.· Two hundred people showed up for the wedding, about 50 more than we originally planned.
► at the outset formal if something is known, believed, decided etc at the outset , it is known etc from the very earliest point in a period of time or activity: · Sylvia knew at the outset what her ultimate goals were.· It had been decided at the outset that Theresa would be our spokesperson.
from the beginning► from the beginning/start · Tell me everything that happened, from the beginning.· Their marriage has been in trouble from the start.right from the beginning/start (=from the very earliest time) · Right from the start I could tell she didn't like me.· Mark felt very comfortable in his new job, right from the beginning.from start to finish (=from the beginning to the end) · This project has been a complete nightmare from start to finish.
► from the word go informal from the beginning - used especially when something has happened or existed continuously since the beginning: · Eva's been very supportive from the word go.· The Elfin Theatre Company was doomed to failure from the word go.
► since/from day one if something has been the situation or has been someone's purpose since or from day one , it has clearly been the situation or their purpose ever since the beginning: · From day one I knew we'd have a strong team this year.· We've opposed this amendment since day one and we'd be stupid to change our minds now.
► from the outset from the time when a continuing activity or process began: · The new group had, from the outset, campaigned for an improvement in childcare provision.· I was determined from the outset to make the most of going to university.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE► clear
Phrases· Finally, it should be clear from the outset what sort of information the survey is designed to elicit.· The chant was deafeningly clear from the outset.· It was always part of the process whose importance was made clear at the outset.
► very· Many of those anomalies were identified by my colleagues at the very outset of the poll tax escapade.· Those talks failed from the very outset.· You must be clear in your mind from the very outset why you are reading.
VERB► establish· This establishes at the outset for both parties the criterion for evaluation of work done.· It should be established at the outset that many large blue-chip companies do not actually use search at all.· A structure to the assignment should be established from the outset.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► at/from the outset
at/from the outset at or from the beginning of an event or process → set out: - It was clear from the outset that there were going to be problems.
- It was stated at the outset that this system would not be here, and at once, perfected.
- Liverpool, so dominant at the outset, were glad to hear referee Andy D'Urso blow the final whistle.
- Local authorities have presented the Treasury with a particular problem from the outset.
- She also remarked at the outset that her personal belief was that the category had no place in a psychiatric manual.
- There was a whole platoon of black-and-whites on our tail at the outset, but we lost them one by one.
- This establishes at the outset for both parties the criterion for evaluation of work done.
- This is why it is so important to be consistent in your approach right from the outset.
- We had from the outset a desire to cross barriers that had previously existed and to get involved in community groups.
It was clear from the outset that there were going to be problems. It’s better to get something in writing right at the outset.outset of A person with higher qualifications can get a better paid job at the outset of their career.