start on

verb

To criticize.

“Don't start me on that again.”

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Meanings

verbstart on (third-person singular simple present starts on, present participle starting on, simple past and past participle started on)

present singular third person starts on · participle present starting on · participle past started on · past started on

  1. informaltransitiveTo criticize.

    Don't start on her about that again!

  2. informaltransitiveTo begin using (something); to set about on a task; to be initiated to begin using.

    They haven't started her on solid foods yet.

    2 more examples

    We're starting on the long-delayed project soon.

    Start on the vegetables after you've done the bed.

  3. informaltransitiveTo be instigated to talk about, rant or complain regarding a frequent topic.

    Don't start me on that again.

Synonyms & antonyms

Also see
start on at
Cite this entry
APA

start on. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/start%20on

MLA

“start on.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/start%20on. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “start on,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/start%20on.

Source: start on on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.