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辨析四个与 “开始” 有关的短语：“kick off”、“get underway”、 “set in” 和 “break out”

Episode 260909 / 09 Sep 2026

内容简介

单词 “start” 的意思是 “开始”。“Kick off”、“get underway”、“set in” 和 “break out” 这四个短语也都有 “开始” 的意思。不过，它们适用的场景却各不相同。比赛 “开始了” 应该用哪个短语来表达？一场争执 “爆发了” 又该用哪个？听节目，跟主持人步理和 Becca 一起学习这四个表示 “开始” 的短语及其区别。

文字稿

（关于台词的备注: 请注意这不是广播节目的逐字稿件。本文稿可能没有体现录制、编辑过程中对节目做出的改变。）

Buli
Hi Becca, I can't believe how quickly summer went!

Becca
I know! Before we know it, schools and universities will be starting a new term again.

Buli
That's actually perfect because the question in this programme is all about different expressions meaning 'to start'.

大家好，欢迎收听 BBC 英语教学的 “你问我答” 节目。I'm Buli.

Becca
And I'm Becca. Today's question is all about the beginning of things.

Question
你好，我知道 “start” 和 “begin” 都有 “开始” 的意思，但请问 “kick off”、“get underway”、“set in” 和 “break out” 这四个代表 “开始” 的短语有什么区别？如果我想说 “新学期开始了” 用哪个短语最合适呢？

Buli
That's an interesting question. By the way, Becca, when does the new term kick off in the UK?

Becca
Well, in the UK, the new academic year starts in September.

Buli
Oh, it's the same in China. The academic year starts after the summer vacation, so it's usually in September that the new term gets underway.

Becca
Yes, then after a few months, the colder weather starts to set in, and students get to go home for the winter holidays. There's also usually an outbreak of colds and other flu-like illnesses. I remember always being sick when I went home for Christmas.

Buli
Hopefully, we'll avoid an outbreak of colds and flus this year!

Becca
Yes, Buli, let's hope so!

Buli
你正在收听的是 BBC 英语教学制作的 “你问我答” 节目。在本期节目中，我和 Becca 正在辨析四个固定短语：“kick off”、“get underway”、“set in” 和 “break out”。

So, they can all be used to say 'something started', but what are the differences?

Becca
Well, let's kick off with 'kick off'! You first asked me when the new term kicks off in the UK. 'Kick off' is an informal expression meaning 'to begin'. It originally comes from football, where the game starts with a kick-off. Nowadays, we use it for all kinds of events. I could say, for example, 'tomorrow's meeting kicks off at nine'.

Buli
I see. So, 'kick-off' can also be a noun. “Kick” 的意思就是 “踢”，因此 “kick off” 原本描述的是足球运动中比赛开始时，一方球员首先把球 “踢出去，开球” 的动作。现在，我们可以用 “kick off” 来表示 “开始或启动一项活动，程序或事件”。并且，加上连字符的 “kick-off” 还可以作名词。

What about the phrase 'get underway'?

Becca
'Get underway' is slightly more formal than 'kick off', and it specifically means 'something has officially started and is now in progress'. So, for example, the academic year usually gets underway in September.

Buli
也就是说，“get underway” 这个短语和 “kick off” 比起来相对更加严肃正式一些。“Get underway” 的意思是 “开始，开始进行，开始实施”。人们通常会用这个短语来描述一项重要或正式的活动 “开始了，开启了”。就比如，一个新学期的开始或者一项重要工程的开工建设。

I think I've heard similar expressions in news reports and official announcements. A reporter might say 'a negotiation or a meeting is underway'.

Becca
Yep, that sounds about right!

Now, we also had 'set in' which we use for things that develop gradually and continue for some time, often without a clear beginning or time boundary. It's often used for weather, seasons, or feelings.

Buli
I see. So, I could say, 'relief sets in as we near the end of this hot summer'.

Becca
A great example, Buli! 

Buli
Thank you, Becca. 和 “get underway” 和 “kick off” 略有不同的是，“set in” 这个短语描述的是 “某个事物逐渐来临，一个事件或情况慢慢开始了”。因此，“set in” 通常搭配的是那些 “并没有一个特别明确的开端，渐渐形成或确立的事物”，比如天气、季节或人的心情等等。

And lastly, what about 'break out'?

Becca
'Break out' is used when something unpleasant or unexpected suddenly starts. We often use it with words like war, fire, violence, disease, or arguments.

Buli
Ah, that's why you used it with the flu.

Becca
Yes. And we can use the similar noun of this phrase 'break out' – 'outbreak'.

Buli
短语 “break out” 和以上三者最大的不同，就是它基本上只能用来描述某个负面的事物 “开始出现了，爆发了”。就比如，我们可以说 “an argument broke out in the meeting room（会议室里爆发了一场争论）” 或者 “a fire broke out in the basement（地下室起火了）”。人们也经常会用到相关的名词 “outbreak” 来指代某件事或事物的 “爆发，突然出现”。

Becca
So, to answer the last part of our listener's question: 'kick off', 'get underway', 'set in' and 'break out' can all mean 'to start', but if you want to describe the start of a new school term, it's best to use 'kick off' or 'get underway'.

Buli
是的。对于这位热心听众提出的问题来说，如果想要表达 “新学期开始了”，那么说 “a new school term got underway” 或者更加轻松和口语化的 “a new school term kicked off” 是在这四个短语中的最佳选择。

Becca
Remember if you have a question that you'd like us to answer, you can email us too at: questions.chinaelt@bbc.co.uk

Buli
你还可以通过微博向我们提问。我们的微博账号是 “BBC英语教学”。Bye!

Becca
Goodbye!

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