a/one step ahead of

idiom

1
: better prepared than (someone or something)
The teacher really has to work to keep one step ahead of the class.
She always seems to be one step ahead of me.
2
: able to avoid being caught or found by (someone or something)
So far the killer has managed to stay one step ahead of the police/law.

Examples of a/one step ahead of in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
By doing so, leaders not only ensure that their company is always one step ahead of compliance requirements but also foster a culture of excellence and preparedness. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024 The offense began at their 35-yard-line and was usually a step ahead of the defense. Joe Buscaglia, The Athletic, 7 Aug. 2024 Despite his bribery and corruption being an open secret among 7th Fleet sailors, Francis was able to stay one step ahead of investigators for years, at one point bribing a Naval Criminal Investigative Service agent to leak him details about criminal probes. Alex Riggins, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024 See all the photos from Entertainment Weekly's Gladiator II cover shoot Washington may have become one with his peers, but Macrinus is almost peerless — always one step ahead of his foes. Lauren Huff, EW.com, 23 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for a/one step ahead of 

Dictionary Entries Near a/one step ahead of

aonach

a/one step ahead of

Aonian

Cite this Entry

“A/one step ahead of.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/a%2Fone%20step%20ahead%20of. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!