keep one jump ahead

keep one jump ahead

To gain an advantageous position (over another person or an impending occurrence) by being proactive. I'm studying hard to keep one jump ahead of Christine, who is my main competition for valedictorian. I'm going to leave early and take the side streets so I can keep one jump ahead of the traffic.
See also: ahead, jump, keep, one
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • be one jump ahead
  • be/stay one jump ahead
  • stay one jump ahead
  • to windward
  • to windward of
  • to windward of (something)
  • windward
  • come up from behind
  • be on the front foot
  • one up (on someone)
References in periodicals archive
A man like al-Asiri with his talent for penetrating security systems probably has a good idea of the kind of security required to keep one jump ahead of the CIA.
SILENT WAR; AFTER CIA DOUBLE AGENT TRICKED TERRORIST BOMB MAKER.
"Clearly business students are going to be even more important in the years to come when, as a nation, we have to compete in a very competitive world and we have to keep one jump ahead.
New business school gets Royal approval; Praise for building 'on grand site with vital purpose'
To keep one jump ahead of this country's enemies, they must gather intelligence from the midst of the very people who wish to do us, and them, harm.
Time to put cynicism firmly aside
2Layering is the sensible way to keep one jump ahead of our freaky weather fronts.
Retail Therapy: LET'S GO TO WORK
But if you want a miracle, you have to work for it, Lay your plans carefully and keep one jump Ahead of the crowd.
A distance from the sea
Unbeaten Well Chief will be looking to keep one jump ahead of the opposition in the Beards Jewellers Cup at Cheltenham today
Racing: Pipe aiming to call the tune