JLPT N1 grammar

〜を皮切りにmeaning and usage

Meaning

Starting with A

How to form it

  • nounを皮切りに（して）/を皮切りとして
  • verb (plain form)のを皮切りに

How it is used

'Starting with A': A is the first of a series of similar events, and what follows is how the rest unfolded, such as a tour or new branches. Mostly in news and writing. 「を始め」 picks a representative example, not the first in time.

Examples

  1. 彼の発言を皮切りに場内は蜂の巣をつついたような騒ぎになった。

    Starting with his remark, the venue erupted into an uproar like a poked beehive.

  2. この町では、五月のバラ祭りを皮切りに、秋まで毎月行事が続く。

    In this town, starting with the rose festival in May, there's an event every month until autumn.

  3. その会社は、駅前の一号店を皮切りに、市内に五つの店を開いた。

    Starting with its first shop by the station, the company opened five shops in the city.