FIRST BASE, COULDN'T GET TO

wasn't able to make a good start or really begin; wasn't able to succeed. First base comes from the sport of baseball, where a base is one of four stations, laid out in the form of a diamond, which must be touched by a player after hitting the ball. First base is the first of these stations the player must reach. —Ability Congress Approved Glossary

wasn't able to make a good start or really begin; wasn't able to succeed. First base comes from the sport of baseball, where a base is one of four stations, laid out in the form of a diamond, which must be touched by a player after hitting the ball. First base is the first of these stations the player must reach.