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Glite Dictionary
two steps ahead

two steps ahead

5 4.3
Much more prepared and able to guess what will happen than other people
  • idiom
translation icon : dos pasos adelante
  • When it comes to men, I'm usually two steps ahead.
  • always two steps ahead
  • stay two steps ahead
  • think two steps ahead

You just need to be one or two steps ahead of your students, your clients.

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Examples

Synonyms

advanced
vstwo steps ahead
379 4.0

At a very high level of skill, knowledge, or development

specifies a notable lead in preparation or progress beyond others
one step ahead
vstwo steps ahead
38 4.0

In a better position because you are ready before others

implies a much larger lead rather than a small, slight advantage
light years ahead
vstwo steps ahead
  • Informal
4 5.6

Much more advanced than others in development and skill

is similar but indicates significant rather than extremely large lead
streets ahead
vstwo steps ahead
  • UK
7.4

Much better than others in the same field

is similar but focuses on significant advantage without extreme distance

Antonyms

behind
243 1.0

In a position with a lower score or later than others

How Advanced

two steps ahead
5 4.3

Surface Forms

two steps ahead positive

Morphology

two + step + ahead

The meaning is directly derivable from the constituents: 'two' (a small quantity), 'steps' (units of progress or measures), and 'ahead' (in front), so a learner can infer being a short distance further in progress or planning. This spatial-to-figurative mapping (being 'steps ahead') is a common, cross-linguistic metaphor and follows standard compositional patterns, making it accessible to a B1 learner who knows the parts.

Etymology

Two steps ahead comes from the simple image of someone taking two steps forward so they can see the path and act before others. So, to be two steps ahead means 'to be ready' or 'to know what will happen', and we use it for people who are more prepared or advanced than others.