ahead of the pack
3
4.4
- idiom
- Informal
:
por delante del grupo
- At the moment, the world's three leading technological powers—Germany, Japan, and the United States—are ahead of the pack in developing many of the key devices.
- stay ahead of the pack
- far ahead of the pack
- get ahead of the pack
Like what is it about you that's uniquely you that you think put you ahead of the pack here?
- Like what is it about you that's uniquely you that you think put you ahead of the pack here?
Examples
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Gary Hart is running far ahead of the pack of contenders.
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Staying ahead of the pack is essential to enable success in the Internet marketing industry.
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People are hungry to be ahead of the pack.
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Here's some advice from your style coach on how to stay ahead of the pack and come out a winner.
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If you do, you'll put yourself ahead of the pack.
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You're well ahead of the pack at this point.
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In Nevada, Romney is well out ahead of the pack with 34% to 21% for Gingrich, 16% for Palin, and only 11% for Mike Huckabee.
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She developed a new app that keeps her company ahead of the pack in technology.
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Their innovative marketing strategy has helped them stay ahead of the pack in the industry.
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By constantly improving their services, the organization remains ahead of the pack among competitors.
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
15
4.4
In a better position because you act or prepare earlier than others
15
5.6
Having more knowledge or skill than most others in a field
1
7.7
Ahead of most others in new ideas or tools
Ahead of others in a game or race
How Advanced
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'in a leading position' is directly and transparently built from 'ahead' (in front, leading) + 'pack' (a group), so the figurative sense is a straightforward spatial-to-social mapping. This compositional pattern is common across languages and follows a regular English construction, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words would very likely infer the MWE's meaning.
Etymology
Ahead of the pack comes from the picture of a group, like dogs or runners, moving together. If someone is ahead of the pack, they are in front while the rest follow, so it means 'more advanced' or 'more successful' than others.