ahead of the game
16
4.4
- idiom
- I can do that if I'm ahead of the game.
- come out ahead of the game
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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
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To succeed in business, you need to stay ahead of the game by understanding market trends.
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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.
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Just trying to help her get ahead of the game.
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Try to stay ahead of the game.
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We're ahead of the game.
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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
503
1.0
In a leading position with a higher score than others
43
4.0
In a better position because you are ready before others
26
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
In a first position that gives an advantage in a competition
Antonyms
How Ahead
16
4.4
675
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.