To begin auspiciously. This term is a version of put one’s best foot forward. Ancient superstition had it that the right foot was the best, whereas the left was unlucky. Hence early versions of this expression include “With prosperous foot approach” and “Right foot first.” (See also got up on the wrong side of bed.) The converse of this locution is to get off on the wrong foot. Both became clichés in the twentieth century.