start someone off on something—
1. cause a person to start on smth.:
- This started him off on a hobby of dismantling old radios for parts to construct his many projects.
2. cause smb. to begin speaking at length:
- Start him off on the subject of meteorites, and it is hard to stop him.
start someone out in something —(also: start someone up in something ) cause smb. to begin working in a trade or profession:
- His stepfather started him out in the business when deciding to open a shop in the backyard.