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.
Sometimes, a good mentor is someone just a step ahead of you, not necessarily a senior executive. Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025 Trump tried to install the laughably unfit Matt Gaetz as U.S. attorney general, one step ahead of a damming House Ethics Committee report. New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 26 Feb. 2025 Use strong, unique passwords, enable two-factor authentication and keep your software updated to stay one step ahead of cybercriminals. Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 6 Feb. 2025 One key could be whether offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury can stay a step ahead of the NFC East-rival Eagles, who should know his offense better than the Lions knew it. Mike Sando, The Athletic, 20 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for a/one step ahead of

Browse Nearby Words

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 13 Mar. 2025.

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!