prepare ahead
B1 neutral inseparable both
In simple words
To get ready for something before it happens, so you're not in a hurry later.
Literal meaning: Getting ready while looking forward in time — transparent and non-idiomatic.
Meanings
1 B1 neutral
To complete preparations before they are urgently needed, in order to save time or reduce stress later.
"If you prepare ahead, the Christmas dinner is actually quite manageable."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Common in cooking, event planning, and general advice contexts. Often used with 'of time' or 'for': 'prepare ahead of time' / 'prepare ahead for the holidays'. Some grammarians consider 'ahead' here a redundant intensifier since 'prepare' already implies forward action, but it is well established in natural usage.
Commonly used with
meal questions materials notes presentation time
Forms
Base
prepare ahead
I/you/we/they
3rd person
prepares ahead
he/she/it
Past simple
prepared ahead
yesterday
Past participle
prepared ahead
have + pp
-ing form
preparing ahead
continuous
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Synonyms
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