To have the start

Start \Start\, n.
   1. The act of starting; a sudden spring, leap, or motion,
      caused by surprise, fear, pain, or the like; any sudden
      motion, or beginning of motion.
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            The fright awakened Arcite with a start. --Dryden.
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   2. A convulsive motion, twitch, or spasm; a spasmodic effort.
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            For she did speak in starts distractedly. --Shak.
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            Nature does nothing by starts and leaps, or in a
            hurry.                                --L'Estrange.
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   3. A sudden, unexpected movement; a sudden and capricious
      impulse; a sally; as, starts of fancy.
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            To check the starts and sallies of the soul.
                                                  --Addison.
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   4. The beginning, as of a journey or a course of action;
      first motion from a place; act of setting out; the outset;
      -- opposed to {finish}.
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            The start of first performance is all. --Bacon.
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            I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips,
            Straining upon the start.             --Shak.
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   {At a start}, at once; in an instant. [Obs.]
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            At a start he was betwixt them two.   --Chaucer.
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   {To get the start}, or {To have the start}, to begin before
      another; to gain or have the advantage in a similar
      undertaking; -- usually with of. "Get the start of the
      majestic world." --Shak. "She might have forsaken him if
      he had not got the start of her." --Dryden.
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