get ahead of
B2 neutral inseparable transitive
In simple words
To go faster or do better than a specific person or thing.
Literal meaning: To physically move so that you are in front of someone — the idiomatic sense extends this to abstract superiority.
Meanings
1 B2 neutral
To surpass or outpace a specific competitor, person, or group.
"The company launched a new product to get ahead of its main competitor."
Grammar: inseparable
2 C1
idiomatic
neutral
To deal with a problem or situation proactively before it worsens.
"The mayor held a press conference to get ahead of the scandal before it spread further."
"We need to get ahead of this story before it gets ahead of us."
— Common expression in political communications; widely attributed in journalistic and PR contexts
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Common in business and sports. Also used figuratively, e.g. 'get ahead of the story' (in PR/journalism, meaning to control a narrative before it becomes a problem).
Commonly used with
competition curve problem story rivals schedule
Forms
Base
get ahead of
I/you/we/they
3rd person
gets ahead of
he/she/it
Past simple
got ahead of
yesterday
Past participle
got/gotten ahead of
have + pp
-ing form
getting ahead of
continuous
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Synonyms
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