1 B2 idiomatic neutral
To give something or someone more importance or priority than something else.
"She always puts her family ahead of her career, even when it costs her opportunities."
separable
put ahead
B2 neutral separable transitive
To rank or place something or someone higher in importance or priority than something else.
In plain English
To decide that one thing is more important than another thing.
What does "put ahead" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To place something physically in front of or before something else.
Actually means
To decide that one thing is more important than another thing.
Usage tip
Less common as a standalone phrasal verb; more natural in constructions like 'put X ahead of Y.' Not as idiomatic as 'put first' or 'prioritize.'
Words that pair with "put ahead"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
family career profit safety needs schedule
How to conjugate "put ahead"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
put ahead
I/you/we/they
3rd person
puts ahead
he/she/it
Past simple
put ahead
yesterday
Past participle
put ahead
have + pp
-ing form
putting ahead
continuous
Hear "put ahead" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "put ahead" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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