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TO BEGIN WITH
I. (adverb)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Before now
Example:
why didn't you tell me in the first place?
Synonyms:
earlier; in the beginning; in the first place; originally; to begin with
Classified under:
Context examples:
He was a small man to begin with; and upon his meagre frame was deposited an even more strikingly meagre head.
(White Fang, by Jack London)
Louisa had fine naval fervour to begin with, and they would soon grow more alike.
(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)
The authors note that if the ice shell was slightly thinner in the south to begin with, it would lead to runaway heating there over time.
(Powering Saturn's Active Ocean Moon, NASA)
But after they adjusted for factors like education, socioeconomic status and demographics, it became apparent that mostly higher-income, better-educated people — who are more likely to be in good health to begin with — were taking supplements.
(Healthy Diet Can't Be Replaced by Vitamins, Supplements, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)
Once before he had tried Spencer, and choosing the "Principles of Psychology" to begin with, he had failed as abjectly as he had failed with Madam Blavatsky.
(Martin Eden, by Jack London)
In order that we may start afresh and go to Meg's wedding with free minds, it will be well to begin with a little gossip about the Marches.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
The cabin was small, to begin with, and to move around, as I was compelled to, was not made easier by the schooner’s violent pitching and wallowing.
(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)
Your theory is for me to begin with keeping books in order to become a successful lawyer or man of business.
(Martin Eden, by Jack London)
With the good sense and sturdy independence that characterized him, he refused Mr. Laurence's more generous offers, and accepted the place of bookkeeper, feeling better satisfied to begin with an honestly earned salary than by running any risks with borrowed money.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
To begin with, at the midday dinner, Wolf Larsen informed the hunters that they were to eat thenceforth in the steerage.
(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)
