above the curve
1
7.7
- idiom
- Companies that stay above the curve often lead the market.
Examples
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Her innovative strategies keep the team above the curve in product development.
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Her design is above the curve in the fashion industry.
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It's important for designers to stay above the curve in changing markets.
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The company remains above the curve by constantly adopting new technologies.
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Many startups are above the curve in adopting new technologies and practices.
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Her insights in marketing strategies show that she is above the curve compared to her peers.
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The research conducted by this university is above the curve in environmental sustainability.
Synonyms
101
3.9
The newest and most advanced position in a field like technology
101
6.3
Better than what is normal or expected
18
5.6
Having more knowledge or skill than most others in a field
3
4.4
Being more successful than others in the same group
1
4.4
Aware of the latest popular styles and ideas in a field
1
7.4
Having ideas or work more modern than most people of the time
Antonyms
How Advanced
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase applies the spatial relation 'above' to a 'curve' understood as a trend line, so a learner who knows both words could infer a sense of being 'higher than the norm' but must map that spatial image onto the abstract idea of being more advanced. Because this is a metaphorical, somewhat idiomatic extension (and 'ahead of the curve' is the more common collocation), the specific meaning 'more advanced or innovative' is only partially predictable without prior exposure.
Etymology
Above the curve may come from the image of a simple chart: most results lie on a smooth curve, and being above that line means you are higher than the group. That's why it means 'ahead of trends' or 'more advanced' than most others.