1. Home
2. Idioms
3. get ahead

get ahead

---

---

get ahead (in something)

to advance in one's employment, school, or life in general. I work hard every day, but I can't seem to get ahead in my job. I want to get ahead in life.

See also: ahead, get

get ahead

to achieve success Everyone who works here should be able to get ahead.

See also: ahead, get

get ahead

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.

See also: ahead, get

get ahead

v.

1. To come to a position in front of or in advance of something or someone: We tried to get ahead of the heavy traffic by taking a shortcut.

2. To make progress with something or advance in something, especially a career, income, or quality of life: I took a second job to get ahead and was able to save up enough money to buy a house.

See also: ahead, get