get ahead

get ahead idiom
  1. Succeed or make progress, especially in one's career or in society. For example, She put in many hours of overtime in order to get ahead. [c. 1800]
  2. Save a little money, as in After we settle the hospital bill, we hope to get ahead enough to buy a new car.
  3. get ahead of. Move in front of, as in I got ahead of her in line.
  4. get ahead of. Outdo, surpass, as in We were determined to get ahead of the competition. Also see ahead of the game.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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