From Day One 🕰️
Definition:
“From day one” – Since long ago; also, from the beginning. This twentieth-century locution continues to be used in both senses. The former appears in, “The weather forecasts have been wrong from day one.” Dermot Healy had the latter sense in Goat’s Song (1994): “From day one I was hung up on my son.” See also “since the beginning of time.”
Similar Terms and Expressions:
- Since the beginning of time: Emphasizes a very long, often incalculable, period.
- From the get-go: Immediately from the start.
- Right off the bat: Immediately, at the very beginning.
- From soup to nuts: From the beginning to the end, covering everything from start to finish. (For a gastronomical flair!)
- From scratch: Starting with no prior preparation or ingredients. Frequently used in cooking or projects.
Synonyms:
- Initially
- From the outset
- Right from the start
Antonyms:
- Midway
- After the fact
- Belatedly
Proverbs and Quotes:
- “Well begun is half done.” – Greek Proverb
- “In the beginning, you cannot see the end.” – Huston Smith
- “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” – Lao Tzu
Literature, Books, Songs, Poetry, and Movies:
- Book: Starting from Scratch: How to Correct the 3 Fundamental Flaws in Your Writing Strategy—by Andrea Maurer
- Song: “Beginning” by Seal
- Movie: From the Start (Fictitious)—A gripping tale of a family’s enduring journey that underscores the importance of relationships that were strong “from day one.”
- Poetry: “The Journey Begins” by Mary Oliver
Quizzes
### Which phrase emphasizes a lengthy duration from the past?
- [x] Since the beginning of time
- [ ] From the cabbages to the kings
- [ ] Past the chicken coop
- [ ] Opening the rain window
> **Explanation:** “Since the beginning of time” highlights a very long, indefinite period, unlike the other whimsical options displayed here.
### Which of these is NOT similar to “from day one”?
- [x] Just yesterday
- [ ] From the outset
- [ ] From the get-go
- [ ] Right off the bat
> **Explanation:** "Just yesterday" refers to a very recent past, as opposed to "from the beginning."
### True or False: "Right off the bat" means starting immediately.
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** True! "Right off the bat" implies starting right away, very similar to "from day one."
### What phrase means to begin without preparation?
- [ ] From bedrock
- [ ] From the cheese to the grater
- [x] From scratch
- [ ] Before the rooster crows
> **Explanation:** "From scratch" implies starting from the very beginning without any prior preparation, often used in a culinary or project-based context.
### From which of these phrases can we infer a start from the very beginning?
- [ ] Past the turnpike
- [ ] Over the rainbow
- [ ] Inside the belly of the fish
- [x] From the get-go
> **Explanation:** "From the get-go" is synonymous with starting from the beginning. The other options are fanciful nonsense.
