ahead of the game
15
4.4
- idiom
- I can do that if I'm ahead of the game.
- come out ahead of the game
Loading YouTube…
Watch on YouTubeBut if you already enjoyed the process, the journey, so call it then you're already ahead of the game and you're winning.
- But if you already enjoyed the process, the journey, so call it then you're already ahead of the game and you're winning.
- Say what you will about Elon, but that guy is so infinitely far ahead of the game.
- He just needs to be ahead of the game and the good guys playing catch up.
- Wow, my goodness, way ahead of the game already.
- So like you're ahead of the game in that sense, playing at a club like this.
- Tesla is arguably ahead of the game on that front because it is.
- Also, I don't know, maybe you're way ahead of the game and you know, but you couldn't study social entrepreneurship.
- And it put me way ahead of the game for shooting for, for those, you know, for the third season, I suppose.
Examples
-
To succeed in business, you need to stay ahead of the game by understanding market trends.
-
Some states are certainly ahead of the game, but others are lagging behind.
Academic text (2017) -
So you are way ahead of the game, believe me.
-
Just trying to help her get ahead of the game.
-
Try to stay ahead of the game.
-
We're ahead of the game.
-
Last year, I was able to get ahead of the game a little.
Blog text (13) -
"When it comes to public records, Lexis is clearly ahead of the game," Tyburski says.
Academic text (2004) -
If you can anticipate what people's attitudes will be, you're ahead of the game.
Fiction book (1996) -
Practice sewing seams on the bias, learn machine control and you will be ahead of the game for any number of projects in school.
Synonyms
690
1.0
In a leading position with a higher score than others
38
4.0
In a better position because you are ready before others
24
2.7
In a first position that gives an advantage in a competition
10
3.4
Ahead of others in a race, game, or area of work
3
4.4
Being more successful than others in the same group
Antonyms
How Ahead
15
4.4
243
1.0
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'in a position of advantage' is directly derivable from combining 'ahead' (in front, leading) with 'the game' (the field or activity), so a learner who knows the constituents can infer being 'ahead' in that activity. This competitive/position metaphor is common across languages and follows normal compositional patterns, making it readily understandable to B1 learners.
Etymology
Ahead of the game comes from sports: if a player is ahead in a game, they are in front of others and have the advantage. So it now means being 'in a position of advantage', often because you act or prepare earlier than others.