outset
n. 开始，开端
例句
Decide at the outset what kind of learning programme you want to follow.
一开始就要定下你的学习计划。
《柯林斯英汉双解大词典》
I never understood why he didn't just accede to our demands at the outset.
我从不能理解为什么他不一开始就答应我们的请求。
The president has played a shrewd diplomatic game because from the outset he called for direct talks.
总统玩了一场精明的外交游戏，因为从一开始他就要求进行直接对话。
