started in on

Verb

start in on (third-person singular simple present starts in on, present participle starting in on, simple past and past participle started in on)

1. (informal) To make a start on; to begin to tackle.
   • She started in on the closet, hoisting boxes from the shelf and placing them on the floor.2013, Carol Brisebois, House on Fire, page 180
2. (informal) To attack verbally or physically.
   • She was always worried about Laura when she was in gymnastics. When her teammate died of complications from anorexia, she really started in on her about her weight.2009, George O. Love, On the Scene II: Status Check, page 64