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
Zander	ZAN-dər	English (Modern)
Freya	FRAY-ah (Norse Mythology), FRAY-ə (English)	Norse Mythology, English (British, Modern)
Swithin	-	History
Franklin	FRANGK-lin	English
Bowers	['bauəz]
Eerik	E:-reek	Finnish