get one's feet wet

be friendly and talkative break ground cut the first turf lay the first stone lead off lead the way make a start oil the works open the way pave the way set at ease smooth the path socialize start start the ball rolling take the plunge

begin inaugurate initiate launch take up

arise open originate

come into being come into existence embark on enter upon get cracking get going get show on road hit the ground running jump into kick off lead off start the ball rolling tear into

close complete conclude end finish stop

cease