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."
inseparable
get ahead of
B2 neutral inseparable transitive
To move into a leading position relative to someone or something specific.
In plain English
To go faster or do better than a specific person or thing.
What does "get ahead of" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
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
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To physically move so that you are in front of someone — the idiomatic sense extends this to abstract superiority.
Actually means
To go faster or do better than a specific person or thing.
Usage tip
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).
Words that pair with "get ahead of"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
competition curve problem story rivals schedule
How to conjugate "get ahead of"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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
Hear "get ahead of" in the wild
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Other ways to say "get ahead of"
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