be off the (starting) blocks

To be working on a certain activity. (Runners are positioned at the "starting blocks" at the beginning of a race.) The construction crew is already off the blocks, so you need to call them right now if you want to stop the project.

Common Names:

Name	Pronounced	Usage
Saleh	-	Arabic
Lachtna	-	Irish
Arethusa	-	Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Penuel	-	Biblical, Biblical Hebrew
Baxter	BAKS-tər	English
Euphranor	-	Ancient Greek