give someone a head start—put smb. in an advantageous position allowing to start smth. earlier:
- If we give them a head start they’re going to do as well as other children.
give someone a start—
1. startle a person:
- I have to say that the sirens went off at noon today and gave me a start.
2. help a person start his stalled car:
- John gave me a start when my car was stalled this morning.
3. assist smb. in entering on a career:
- So she lent me some money and gave me a start in business.
Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase get someone started—cause a person to begin smth.:
- Taking your child for visits to museums will get him started to having an interest in science.