ahead of the curve
15
5.6
- idiom
:
vanguardista
- Independent schools are often ahead of the curve in considering how issues like global sustainability interface with educational policy.
- get ahead of the curve
So you have to be way, way ahead of the curve creatively.
- So you have to be way, way ahead of the curve creatively.
- And again, call it paranoia, call it just trying to be ahead of the curve.
- Think of it because, look, Buffett's going to be ahead of the curve on this, but think of all of the selling that's going to happen to avoid.
- Until next time, friends, I'm going to go and enjoy a fluctastic year of being a hipster and ahead of the curve, because now everyone likes the phone that I like.
- It's people that's ahead of the curve, right?
- So you get this almost like you overshoot on the other side and it's playing off the being a little bit ahead of the curve.
- She's two years ahead of the curve and I just want to knock on her door and say you need to shut the fuck up.
Examples
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Nationwide, crime did not peak until 1993, so Goldstein was ahead of the curve in many respects.
Academic text (2007) -
Hirsch was always ahead of the curve in understanding the impact computers could have on education.
Academic text (2007) -
For once, we're way ahead of the curve.
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Listen, we were way ahead of the curve.
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We're ahead of the curve.
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Usually a simple, "Wow, Boss, you are ahead of the curve on that one."
Blog text (13) -
The United States must stay ahead of the curve in regard to military power.
Blog text (18) -
Netflix has also jumped ahead of the curve by focusing on original programming.
Blog text (11) -
In fact, the Romanow government, elected in 1992, was arguably ahead of the curve in recognizing the fiscal calamity that faced Canada.
Academic text (2017) -
Our company is consistently ahead of the curve in technological innovations.
Synonyms
73
4.9
Using the newest and best technology
71
4.7
Having new, modern ideas or methods that are ahead of others
49
5.6
Very new and modern because it uses the latest ideas and technology
38
4.0
In a better position because you are ready before others
17
7.4
Having ideas or work more modern than most people of the time
4
5.6
Much more advanced than others in development and skill
3
4.4
Being more successful than others in the same group
1
5.6
Introducing new ideas or methods that change a field
1
7.7
Ahead of most others in new ideas or tools
How Advanced
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase combines 'ahead' (leading) with 'curve' (a bent or plotted line) but its idiomatic sense — being more advanced than others — depends on the metaphorical use of 'curve' as a trend or benchmark. A B1 learner who knows the individual words might guess a sense of leading, but they are unlikely to derive the full, domain-general meaning without prior exposure to the metaphor, so it is only partially transparent.
Etymology
Ahead of the curve comes from the picture of a rising curve on a graph; if you are ahead of that curve you are already further on than most people. So the phrase is used to say someone is 'more advanced' or 'innovative' in an area.