begin

be·gin

B0161300 (bĭ-gĭn′)v. be·gan (-găn′), be·gun (-gŭn′), be·gin·ning, be·gins v.intr.1. To perform or undergo the first part of an action; start: I began to email you but got interrupted. The rain began around noon.2. To come into being: when life began.3. To do or accomplish something in the least degree. Used in the negative with an infinitive: Those measures do not even begin to address the problem.4. To say as the first in a series of remarks: "I didn't like the movie," he began.5. a. To have as a first element or part: The play begins with a monologue.b. To have as the lowest price in a range: Those shirts begin at $20.c. To have as a first position, stage, or job: The restaurant began as a ice-cream parlor. The principal began as a math teacher.v.tr.1. To take the first step in doing; start: began work.2. To cause to come into being; originate: an invention that began a new era.3. To come first in (a series, for instance): The numeral 1 begins the sequence.

[Middle English biginnen, from Old English beginnan.]Synonyms: begin, start, commence, launch¹, initiate, inaugurate
These verbs mean to take the initial step in doing something. Begin and start are the most general: The conductor began the program with a medley of waltzes. We started our journey in Montreal.
Commence is a more formal term and often implies that what is beginning is something of seriousness or importance: "ceremoniously brandishing the scalpel with which he was about to commence the apprentice's first lesson in anatomy" (John Gregory Brown).
Launch suggests beginning something with energy and expectation: She looked for a job that could launch her career as a journalist.
Initiate applies to taking the first steps in a process or procedure: I initiated a lawsuit against the driver who hit my car.
Inaugurate often connotes a formal beginning: "The exhibition inaugurated a new era of cultural relations" (Serge Schmemann).

begin

(bɪˈɡɪn) vb, -gins, -ginning, -gan or -gun1. to start or cause to start (something or to do something)2. to bring or come into being for the first time; arise or originate3. to start to say or speak4. (used with a negative) to have the least capacity (to do something): he couldn't begin to compete with her. 5. to begin with in the first place[Old English beginnan; related to Old High German biginnan, Gothic duginnan]

Begin

(ˈbɛɡɪn) n (Biography) Menachem (məˈnɑːkɪm). 1913–92, Israeli statesman, born in Poland. In Palestine after 1942, he became a leader of the militant Zionists; prime minister of Israel (1977–83); Nobel peace prize jointly with Sadat 1978. In 1979 he concluded the Camp David treaty with Anwar Sadat of Egypt

be•gin

(bɪˈgɪn)

v. be•gan, be•gun, be•gin•ning. v.i. 1. to proceed to perform the first or earliest part of an action; start. 2. to come into existence; arise; originate: The custom began during the war. 3. to have a first part: The name begins with a C. v.t. 4. to proceed to perform the first or earliest part of: Begin the job tomorrow. 5. to originate; be the originator of: those who began the reform movement. 6. to succeed to the slightest extent in (fol. by an infinitive): The money won't begin to cover expenses. [before 1000; Middle English beginnen, Old English beginnan] syn: begin, commence, initiate, start (when followed by noun or gerund) refer to setting into motion or progress something that continues for some time. begin is the common term: to begin knitting a sweater. commence is a more formal word, often suggesting a more prolonged or elaborate beginning: to commence proceedings in court. initiate implies an active and often ingenious first act in a new field: to initiate a new procedure. start means to make a first move or to set out on a course of action: to start paving a street.

Be•gin

(ˈbeɪ gɪn)

n. Menachem, 1913–92, Israeli political leader, born in Poland: prime minister 1977–83; Nobel peace prize 1978.

start

begin1. used with noun phrases

If you start or begin something, you do it from a particular time. There is no difference in meaning.

My father started work when he was fourteen.We'll begin the meeting as soon as he arrives.

The past tense of begin is began. The -ed participle is begun.

The teacher opened the book and began the lesson.The company has begun research on a new product.2. used with other verbs

You can use a to-infinitive or an -ing form after start and begin.

Rafael started to run.He started laughing.I was beginning to feel better.We began talking about our experiences.

Be Careful!
Don't use an -ing form after starting or beginning. Don't say, for example, 'I'm beginning understanding more'. You must say 'I'm beginning to understand more'.

3. used as intransitive verbs

Start and begin can be intransitive verbs, used to say that something happens from a particular time.

The show starts at 7.My career as a journalist was about to begin.4. special uses of 'start'

Start has some special meanings. You don't use 'begin' with any of these meanings.

You use start to say that someone makes a machine or engine start to work.

She started her car and drove off.He couldn't get the engine started.

You use start to say that someone creates a business or other organization.

He borrowed money to start a restaurant.Now is a good time to start your own business.

begin

Past participle: begun
Gerund: beginning

Imperative
begin
begin

Present
I begin
you begin
he/she/it begins
we begin
you begin
they begin

Preterite
I began
you began
he/she/it began
we began
you began
they began

Present Continuous
I am beginning
you are beginning
he/she/it is beginning
we are beginning
you are beginning
they are beginning

Present Perfect
I have begun
you have begun
he/she/it has begun
we have begun
you have begun
they have begun

Past Continuous
I was beginning
you were beginning
he/she/it was beginning
we were beginning
you were beginning
they were beginning

Past Perfect
I had begun
you had begun
he/she/it had begun
we had begun
you had begun
they had begun

Future
I will begin
you will begin
he/she/it will begin
we will begin
you will begin
they will begin

Future Perfect
I will have begun
you will have begun
he/she/it will have begun
we will have begun
you will have begun
they will have begun

Future Continuous
I will be beginning
you will be beginning
he/she/it will be beginning
we will be beginning
you will be beginning
they will be beginning

Present Perfect Continuous
I have been beginning
you have been beginning
he/she/it has been beginning
we have been beginning
you have been beginning
they have been beginning

Future Perfect Continuous
I will have been beginning
you will have been beginning
he/she/it will have been beginning
we will have been beginning
you will have been beginning
they will have been beginning

Past Perfect Continuous
I had been beginning
you had been beginning
he/she/it had been beginning
we had been beginning
you had been beginning
they had been beginning

Conditional
I would begin
you would begin
he/she/it would begin
we would begin
you would begin
they would begin

Past Conditional
I would have begun
you would have begun
he/she/it would have begun
we would have begun
you would have begun
they would have begun

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	Begin - Israeli statesman (born in Russia) who (as prime minister of Israel) negotiated a peace treaty with Anwar Sadat (then the president of Egypt) (1913-1992)Menachem Begin
Verb	1.	begin - 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"commence, set out, start, start out, set about, get down, getrecommence - begin again; "we recommenced his reading after a short nap"strike out - set out on a course of action; "He struck out on his own"fall - begin vigorously; "The prisoners fell to work right away"jump off - set off quickly, usually with success; "The freshman jumped off to a good start in his math class"get to - arrive at the point of; "She gets to fretting if I stay away from home too long"auspicate - commence in a manner calculated to bring good luck; "They auspicated the trip with a bottle of champagne"attack - set to work upon; turn one's energies vigorously to a task; "I attacked the problem as soon as I got out of bed"break in - start in a certain activity, enterprise, or rolelaunch, plunge - begin with vigor; "He launched into a long diatribe"; "She plunged into a dangerous adventure"come on - occur or become available; "water or electricity came on again after the earthquake"embark, enter - set out on (an enterprise or subject of study); "she embarked upon a new career"get moving, get rolling, get started, get weaving, bestir oneself, get cracking, get going - start to be active; "Get cracking, please!"begin - begin to speak, understand, read, and write a language; "She began Russian at an early age"; "We started French in fourth grade"terminate, end - bring to an end or halt; "She ended their friendship when she found out that he had once been convicted of a crime"; "The attack on Poland terminated the relatively peaceful period after WW I"
	2.	begin - have a beginning, in a temporal, spatial, or evaluative sense; "The DMZ begins right over the hill"; "The second movement begins after the Allegro"; "Prices for these homes start at $250,000"startbreak out, erupt - start abruptly; "After 1989, peace broke out in the former East Bloc"bud - start to grow or develop; "a budding friendship"break out - begin suddenly and sometimes violently; "He broke out shouting"begin, start - have a beginning characterized in some specified way; "The novel begins with a murder"; "My property begins with the three maple trees"; "Her day begins with a workout"; "The semester begins with a convocation ceremony"begin - have a beginning, of a temporal event; "WW II began in 1939 when Hitler marched into Poland"; "The company's Asia tour begins next month"kick in, set in - enter a particular state; "Laziness set in"; "After a few moments, the effects of the drug kicked in"dawn - appear or develop; "The age of computers had dawned"originate - begin a trip at a certain point, as of a plane, train, bus, etc.; "The flight originates in Calcutta"end, cease, terminate, finish, stop - have an end, in a temporal, spatial, or quantitative sense; either spatial or metaphorical; "the bronchioles terminate in a capillary bed"; "Your rights stop where you infringe upon the rights of other"; "My property ends by the bushes"; "The symphony ends in a pianissimo"
	3.	begin - set in motion, cause to start; "The U.S. started a war in the Middle East"; "The Iraqis began hostilities"; "begin a new chapter in your life"commence, lead off, startjumpstart, jump-start - start or re-start vigorously; "The Secretary of State intends to jumpstart the Middle East Peace Process"recommence - cause to start anew; "The enemy recommenced hostilities after a few days of quiet"usher in, inaugurate, introduce - be a precursor of; "The fall of the Berlin Wall ushered in the post-Cold War period"set off - set in motion or cause to begin; "The guide set the tour off to a good start"embark on, start up, commence, start - get off the ground; "Who started this company?"; "We embarked on an exciting enterprise"; "I start my day with a good breakfast"; "We began the new semester"; "The afternoon session begins at 4 PM"; "The blood shed started when the partisans launched a surprise attack"begin - have a beginning, of a temporal event; "WW II began in 1939 when Hitler marched into Poland"; "The company's Asia tour begins next month"terminate, end - bring to an end or halt; "She ended their friendship when she found out that he had once been convicted of a crime"; "The attack on Poland terminated the relatively peaceful period after WW I"
	4.	begin - begin to speak or say; "Now listen, friends," he beganmouth, speak, talk, verbalise, verbalize, utter - express in speech; "She talks a lot of nonsense"; "This depressed patient does not verbalize"
	5.	begin - be the first item or point, constitute the beginning or start, come first in a series; "The number `one' begins the sequence"; "A terrible murder begins the novel"; "The convocation ceremony officially begins the semester"begin, start - have a beginning characterized in some specified way; "The novel begins with a murder"; "My property begins with the three maple trees"; "Her day begins with a workout"; "The semester begins with a convocation ceremony"
	6.	begin - have a beginning, of a temporal event; "WW II began in 1939 when Hitler marched into Poland"; "The company's Asia tour begins next month"commence, lead off, start, begin - set in motion, cause to start; "The U.S. started a war in the Middle East"; "The Iraqis began hostilities"; "begin a new chapter in your life"be - have the quality of being; (copula, used with an adjective or a predicate noun); "John is rich"; "This is not a good answer"begin, start - have a beginning, in a temporal, spatial, or evaluative sense; "The DMZ begins right over the hill"; "The second movement begins after the Allegro"; "Prices for these homes start at $250,000"
	7.	begin - have a beginning characterized in some specified way; "The novel begins with a murder"; "My property begins with the three maple trees"; "Her day begins with a workout"; "The semester begins with a convocation ceremony"startbegin, start - begin an event that is implied and limited by the nature or inherent function of the direct object; "begin a cigar"; "She started the soup while it was still hot"; "We started physics in 10th grade"be - have the quality of being; (copula, used with an adjective or a predicate noun); "John is rich"; "This is not a good answer"begin, start - have a beginning, in a temporal, spatial, or evaluative sense; "The DMZ begins right over the hill"; "The second movement begins after the Allegro"; "Prices for these homes start at $250,000"begin - be the first item or point, constitute the beginning or start, come first in a series; "The number `one' begins the sequence"; "A terrible murder begins the novel"; "The convocation ceremony officially begins the semester"
	8.	begin - begin an event that is implied and limited by the nature or inherent function of the direct object; "begin a cigar"; "She started the soup while it was still hot"; "We started physics in 10th grade"startact, move - perform an action, or work out or perform (an action); "think before you act"; "We must move quickly"; "The governor should act on the new energy bill"; "The nanny acted quickly by grabbing the toddler and covering him with a wet towel"begin, start - have a beginning characterized in some specified way; "The novel begins with a murder"; "My property begins with the three maple trees"; "Her day begins with a workout"; "The semester begins with a convocation ceremony"
	9.	begin - achieve or accomplish in the least degree, usually used in the negative; "This economic measure doesn't even begin to deal with the problem of inflation"; "You cannot even begin to understand the problem we had to deal with during the war"achieve, attain, accomplish, reach - to gain with effort; "she achieved her goal despite setbacks"
	10.	begin - begin to speak, understand, read, and write a language; "She began Russian at an early age"; "We started French in fourth grade"begin, commence, set out, start, start out, set about, get down, get - 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"

begin

verb1. start He stood up and began to walk around the room.
start end, stop, finish, cease, terminate2. start, initiate, embark on, set about, commence, instigate, inaugurate, institute, make a beginning, set on foot The US wants to begin talks immediately3. start talking, start, open, initiate, commence, lead off, institute, begin business, get or start the ball rolling He didn't know how to begin.4. come into existence, start, appear, emerge, spring, be born, arise, dawn, be developed, be created, originate, commence, be invented, become available, crop up (informal), come into being It began as a local festival.5. emerge, start, spring, stem, derive, issue, originate The fate line begins close to the wrist.
emerge cease, end, finish, stopto begin with6. at first, to start with, in the first place It was great to begin with but now it's difficult.7. firstly To begin with, they doubt it's going to work.

begin

verb1. To go about the initial step in doing (something):approach, commence, embark, enter, get off, inaugurate, initiate, institute, launch, lead off, open, set about, set out, set to, start, take on, take up, undertake.Informal: kick off.Idioms: get cracking, get going, get the show on the road.2. To come into being:arise, commence, originate, start.

Translations

开始

begin

(biˈgin) – present participle beˈginning: past tense began (biˈgan) : past participle begun (biˈgan) – verb to come or bring, into being, to start. He began to talk; The meeting began early.开始beˈginning noun开始beˈginner noun someone who is just learning how to do something. `Does he paint well?' `He's not bad for a beginner'.初学者to begin with1. at first. I didn't like him to begin with, but now he's one of my best friends.一开始2. firstly. There are many reasons why I don't like her – to begin with, she doesn't tell the truth.第一

begin

→ 开始zhCN

When does boarding begin? → 几点开始登机？
What time does the guided tour begin? → 有导游讲解的旅游团几点钟开始？
When does the performance begin? → 演出几点开始？
When does it begin? → 几点开始？

begin

a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step

A daunting task can usually be started by doing a simple thing. I'm feeling really overwhelmed about my research project, but I have to start somewhere, since a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.See also: begin, journey, mile, of, single, step, thousand

an all-out effort

An attempt made with one's full attention and/or fortitude; one's best effort. To beat the best team in the league, we need to make an all-out effort tonight, boys. As soon as I got an academic warning, I started an all-out effort to improve my grades.See also: effort

begin by (doing something)

To start by taking a particular action (which is stated after "by"). We will begin by stretching. I began by checking out all the library books I would need for my research.See also: begin, by

begin to see daylight

To realize that one is approaching the end of a project or task. When I scheduled my thesis defense, I began to see daylight after two years of hard work.See also: begin, daylight, see

begin to see the light

To start to understand something, especially something that one was previously confused about or skeptical of. Tutoring helped me begin to see the light about these physics equations. I used to wonder why people disliked Lydia, but I began to see the light after I caught her making fun of me.See also: begin, light, see

begin with (someone or something)

To start with someone or something; to have someone or something be the first in a series. Let's begin with stretching and then we'll move on to cardio. You'll all have time to share about your summer vacations, but Caroline, we'll begin with you.See also: begin

charity begins at home

One should help family and close friends before helping others. When are you going to get your dear sister a job at your company? Remember, charity begins at home! She seems to have forgotten that charity begins at home—she has no problem volunteering at the church but rarely visits her own mother.See also: begin, charity, home

see the light

To understand or come to accept something, especially something that one was previously confused about or skeptical of. Tutoring helped me see the light about these physics equations. I used to wonder why people disliked Lydia, but I started seeing the light after I overheard her making fun of me. After rejecting for years the possibility of using marijuana for medicinal purposes, the government seems to finally be seeing the light.See also: light, see

to start with

1. From the outset; initially; in or at the very beginning. I never would have bought this car to start with if I'd known there weren't airbags. You should have said you were feeling ill to start with! I wouldn't have given you such a hard time if I'd known.2. As the first of a given set of points (e.g., in an argument). Why am I quitting? Well, to start with, I haven't been paid for overtime in nearly a year, and I just don't feel valued as an employee in general. There are a lot of problems with your paper. To start with, you just seem to move from point to point at random.See also: start

to begin with

1. From the outset; initially; in or at the very beginning. I never would have bought this car to begin with if I'd known there weren't airbags. You should have said you were feeling ill to begin with! I wouldn't have given you such a hard time if I'd known.2. As the first of a given set of points (e.g., in an argument). Why am I quitting? Well, to begin with, I haven't been paid for overtime in nearly a year, and I just don't feel valued as an employee in general. There are a lot of problems with your paper. To begin with, you just seem to move from point to point at random.See also: begin

when the band begins to play

When the situation becomes serious, critical, chaotic, or troublesome. Our analysts have been predicting a market crash for months now. If we don't get diversify our assets soon, we're going to be in serious trouble when the band begins to play. My parents' relationship has been on the rocks for years. I just hope I'm out of the house when the band begins to play.See also: band, begin, play

jumping-off point

A starting point for something. I know you're unhappy with their offer, so just consider it a jumping-off point and come up with a counteroffer.See also: point

life begins at 40

cliché One has the skills, experience, and means by age 40 to truly enjoy life to its fullest. A: "I'm so depressed that I'm going to turn 40 next year." B: "Come on, Tom, life begins at 40. You've still got all sorts of adventures ahead of you!"See also: 40, begin, life

he that would the daughter win must with the mother first begin

If a man has romantic feelings for a particular woman, and especially if he has aspirations of marrying her, then he better make a positive impression on her mother. If you really like this girl, bring her mother flowers too. He that would the daughter win must with the mother first begin.See also: begin, daughter, first, he, mother, must, that, win

he who begins many things finishes but few

Someone who starts many projects typically lacks the ability, energy, or interest to finish them all. A: "Did Rod actually finish his novel?" B: "Of course not. And now he's onto 10 other new projects. I guess it's true what they say—he who begins many things finishes but few."See also: begin, but, few, finish, he, many, thing, who

he who would climb the ladder must begin at the bottom

To attain more power or success, one must gradually work up to it from a position of comparative insignificance. Nobody becomes famous overnight—he who would climb the ladder must begin at the bottom.See also: begin, bottom, climb, he, ladder, must, who

*an all-out effort

a very good and thorough effort. (*Typically: begin ~; have ~; make ~; start ~.) We need to make an all-out effort to get this job done on time. The government began an all-out effort to reduce the federal budget.See also: effort

begin by doing something

to start out by doing something first. We will begin by painting the house. She began by opening the door.See also: begin, by

begin to see daylight

Fig. to begin to see the end of a long task. I've been working on my thesis for two years, and at last I'm beginning to see daylight. I've been so busy. Only in the last week have I begun to see daylight.See also: begin, daylight, see

begin to see the light

Fig. to begin to understand something. (See also (at the end of the tunnel)">see the light (at the end of the tunnel).) My algebra class has been hard for me, but I'm beginning to see the light. I was totally confused, but I began to see the light after your explanation.See also: begin, light, see

begin with someone or something

to start off a sequence with someone or something. Let's have dinner begin with a nice clear soup. I will begin with Liz and take Frank next.See also: begin

Charity begins at home.

Prov. You should take care of family and people close to you before you worry about helping others. I don't think our church should worry so much about a foreign relief fund when there are people in need right here in our city. Charity begins at home. If you really want to make the world a better place, start by being polite to your sister. Charity begins at home.See also: begin, charity, home

He that would the daughter win, must with the mother first begin.

Prov. If you want to marry a woman, you should find a way to impress her mother, so that the mother will favor her marrying you. Harry: I think I want to marry Gina. Bill: Don't propose to her until you're sure her mother is on your side. He that would the daughter win, must with the mother first begin.See also: begin, daughter, first, he, mother, must, that

He who begins many things, finishes but few.

Prov. If you start a lot of projects, you will not have time and energy to complete them all. (Can be used to warn someone against starting too many projects.) Sarah's room is littered with sweaters and mittens she started to knit but never finished, a testament to the fact that she who begins many things, finishes but few.See also: begin, but, few, finish, he, many, who

He who would climb the ladder must begin at the bottom.

Prov. If you want to gain high status, you must start with low status and slowly work upwards. Although Thomas hoped to become a famous journalist, he didn't mind working for a small-town newspaper at first. "He who would climb the ladder must begin at the bottom," he said.See also: begin, bottom, climb, he, ladder, must, who

jumping-off point

and jumping-off placea point or place from which to begin something. The local library is a good jumping-off point for your research. The office job in that company would be a good jumping-off place for a career in advertising.See also: point

Life begins at forty.

Prov. By the time you are forty years old, you have enough experience and skill to do what you want to do with your life. (Often said as an encouragement to those reaching middle age.) Alan: Why are you so depressed? Jane: Tomorrow's my fortieth birthday. Alan: Cheer up! Life begins at forty. For Pete, life began at forty, because by that time he had enough financial security to enjoy himself now and then, rather than having to work all the time.See also: begin, forty, life

see the light

Fig. to understand something clearly at last. After a lot of studying and asking many questions, I finally saw the light. I know that geometry is difficult. Keep working at it. You'll see the light pretty soon.See also: light, see

see the light (at the end of the tunnel)

Fig. to foresee an end to one's problems after a long period of time. (See also begin to see the light.) I had been horribly ill for two months before I began to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I began to see the light one day in early spring. At that moment, I knew I'd get well.See also: light, see

see the light (of day)

Fig. to come to the end of a very busy time. Finally, when the holiday season was over, we could see the light of day. We had been so busy! When business lets up for a while, we'll be able to see the light.See also: light, see

begin to see daylight

Realize that a task is finally nearing completion, that success or the right solution is near at hand. For example, I've been working on this experiment for two years and I'm finally beginning to see daylight . The noun daylight has been a metaphor for knowledge and solution since the late 1600s. Also see light at the end of the tunnel; see the light. See also: begin, daylight, see

charity begins at home

Be generous to your family before helping others. For example, She spends hours and hours on volunteer work and neglects the children, forgetting that charity begins at home . This proverb was first recorded in English, in slightly different form, in John Wycliffe's Of Prelates (c. 1380); "Charity should begin at himself." See also: begin, charity, home

see the light

Also, begin to see the light. Understand or begin to understand something; also, see the merit of another's explanation or decision. For example, Dean had been trying to explain that tax deduction for fifteen minutes when I finally saw the light , or Pat was furious she and her friends were not allowed to go hiking on their own in the mountains, but she began to see the light when a group got lost up there . This term, dating from the late 1600s, originally referred to religious conversion, the light meaning "true religion." By the early 1800s it was used more broadly for any kind of understanding. Also see light at the end of a tunnel; see the light of day. See also: light, see

to start with

Also, to begin with. In the first place, initially, as in We'll notify him by e-mail to start with, or To begin with, they haven't paid their taxes in years. The first term dates from the second half of the 1800s, the variant from the mid-1500s. Also see for openers. See also: start

charity begins at home

charity starts at home

If you say charity begins at home or charity starts at home, you mean that you should deal with the needs of people close to you before you start to help others who are far away. Charity begins at home. There are many tasks right on campus that need volunteers as well. There are other cases in other countries but I think that charity should start at home.See also: begin, charity, home

see the light

COMMON1. If someone sees the light, they realize or understand something, often something that makes them change wrong or unpleasant behaviour or opinions. Eventually he had seen the light and broken off the relationship.2. If someone sees the light, they start believing in a religion. Pray for them that they may see the light.See also: light, see

when the band begins to play

when matters become serious.See also: band, begin, play

charity begins at home

a person's first responsibility is for the needs of their own family and friends. proverbSee also: begin, charity, home

see the light

1 understand or realize something after prolonged thought or doubt. 2 undergo religious conversion.See also: light, see

to beˈgin with

1 at first: I found it tiring to begin with but I soon got used to it. ♢ We’ll go slowly to begin with.
2 used to introduce the first point you want to make: ‘What was it you didn’t like?’ ‘Well, to begin with, our room was far too small.’See also: begin

ˌcharity begins at ˈhome

(saying) people should look after their own family before they think about othersSee also: begin, charity, home

see the ˈlight

1 understand or accept something after you have spent a lot of time thinking about it: I think he’s finally seen the light and is going to retire while he’s still able to enjoy himself.
2 change what you believe as a result of a religious experience: She was an atheist but now she says she’s seen the light.See also: light, see

to start with

1. At the beginning; initially.2. In any case.See also: start

charity begins at home

One should take care of oneself and one’s family before worrying about others. This proverb is a version of Paul’s advice to Timothy in the New Testament (Timothy 5:4), which in the King James version was translated as “But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents.” The fourteenth-century English churchman John Wycliffe wrote, ca. 1380, “Charity schuld bigyne at hem-self,” which soon became “at home,” not just in English but in numerous other languages. Later theologians suggested that charity should begin but not end at home, yet even in the twentieth century it continued to be pointed out that it often does (“Charity begins at home and usually stays there,” H. B. Thompson, Body, Boots and Britches, 1940).See also: begin, charity, home

begin

be·gin

begin

Begin

be•gin

Be•gin

start

begin

begin

begin

begin

begin

begin

a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step

an all-out effort

begin by (doing something)

begin to see daylight

begin to see the light

begin with (someone or something)

charity begins at home

see the light

to start with

to begin with

when the band begins to play

jumping-off point

life begins at 40

he that would the daughter win must with the mother first begin

he who begins many things finishes but few

he who would climb the ladder must begin at the bottom

*an all-out effort

begin by doing something

begin to see daylight

begin to see the light

begin with someone or something

Charity begins at home.

He that would the daughter win, must with the mother first begin.

He who begins many things, finishes but few.

He who would climb the ladder must begin at the bottom.

jumping-off point

Life begins at forty.

see the light

see the light (at the end of the tunnel)

see the light (of day)

begin to see daylight

charity begins at home

see the light

to start with

charity begins at home

charity starts at home

see the light

when the band begins to play

charity begins at home

see the light

to beˈgin with

ˌcharity begins at ˈhome

see the ˈlight

to start with

charity begins at home

Begin

Begin

BEGIN

BEGIN

Begin

Synonyms for Begin

verb start

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verb start

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verb start talking

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verb come into existence

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verb emerge

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phrase to begin with: at first

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phrase to begin with: firstly

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