ahead of time
82
2.3
- idiom
- I should have told you ahead of time.
- know ahead of time
- prepare ahead of time
- plan ahead of time
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Watch on YouTubeThat would mean that God would know ahead of time how things are going to go.
- That would mean that God would know ahead of time how things are going to go.
- And that's who Charlie and Warren have picked ahead of time to run those assets.
- And there are things about our lives that are set up ahead of time, predetermination.
- We sent the PCMECU to you guys ahead of time.
- But I don't want you to know ahead of time where we're going.
- You're freaked out about the fun run two days ahead of time.
- So we have to somehow coordinate our strategies ahead of time and only ahead of time.
- It's nothing I premeditate or decide ahead of time.
Examples
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The colored ones aren't always in stock, so it's best to order ahead of time.
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It's important to book your flight ahead of time to get the best prices.
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That would mean that God would know ahead of time how things are going to go.
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And I kept going back and I knew ahead of time that it was a bad move.
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But I will talk to him ahead of time, let him know what to expect.
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You should have told me ahead of time; it would have saved me the trouble.
Fiction book (1995) -
The pregnancy was actually planned way ahead of time.
-
The details have been worked out ahead of time by the school supervisor or principal.
Academic text (2003) -
Most restaurants will provide menus for the students to read ahead of time in class.
Academic text (1995) -
I think we should rent the barrels ahead of time because what happened last time was a travesty.
Synonyms
∞
1.0
Before the usual or expected time
∞
1.0
Before a certain time in order to be ready
401
1.0
Happening before something else in time
295
1.8
Before something happens or someone needs it
96
2.7
Earlier than a planned time or event
34
2.7
Finished before the planned time
Antonyms
How Early
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'earlier than planned' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'ahead' (before/in front) with 'time', with 'of' serving as a simple linking preposition. This is a common, compositional temporal pattern found across languages, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words will readily infer the MWE's meaning.
Etymology
Ahead of time creates a picture of being in front of a clock: you are ahead of time, so you arrive 'before' the planned moment. That's why it means 'earlier than planned'.