in the first instance
begin
set about
start
get down
set out
commence
get
start out
stepwise
starting point
sente
first port of call
⠋⠌
get a jump on
break the ice
protero-
explore
gradatory
one jump ahead
chassé
liminal
setout
go
step by step
postpreparative
dip one's toe in
outsetting
leadoff
stepping
come into
footstep
ab
incipience
measure twice and cut once
open
inceptive
pioneer
stepwisely
midstep
inchoative
lead
stepmeal
step-by-step
degree
understep
interstep
début
initiative
take the initiative
midstage
drib
cut one's teeth
get going
pretask
strike out
superliminary
first-come-first-served
forestep
first base
ring up the curtain
capital
exordium
oncoming
off
debut
multistage
ground floor
hemitonic
make the road shorter
emergingly
peel the onion
key
firstest
get to first base
multistepped
incept
start off
early days
start up
put one's hand to the plough
flash
oncome
initially
the first step is always the hardest
tip off
embark
multistep
click
front
set forth