See: GET TO FIRST BASE.
{v. phr.} To make a good start; really begin; succeed, * /Joe had a long paper to write for history class, but when the teacher asked for it, Joe hadn't got to first base yet./ * /Suppose Sam falls in love with Betty. Can he even get to first base with her?/ * /George wants to go to college and become a teacher, but I'll be surprised if he even reaches first base./ * /If you don't dress neatly, you won't get to first base when you look for a job./ Compare: FIRST BASE.