one move ahead

one move ahead

A little bit more prepared, skilled, or successful than someone or something else; able to outmaneuver or outpace someone or something. I've been working extra hard so that I'm one move ahead of the new girl threatening to take my job. That crook hasn't been arrested yet because he's always one move ahead of the cops.
See also: ahead, move, one
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

one move ahead

(of someone or something) Go to one jump ahead (of someone or something).
See also: ahead, move, one
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • a/one step ahead
  • be/have done with somebody/something
  • (someone or something) promises well
  • be in line with (someone or something)
  • better of
  • begin with
  • begin with (someone or something)
  • bird has flown, the
  • beware of
  • beware of (someone or something)
References in periodicals archive
Finally, the relationship between the two seem to change as the scene progresses, for Firefly is forced to acknowledge that the intruder is better at this game than he is and that he thinks one move ahead of Firefly.
Spanish ministers need to think more than one move ahead. How do they plan to enforce their decisions, and how do they expect millions of Catalans to respond if their regional government is seen to be effectively shut down by the central state?
She is a woman with a plan who is focused on always being at least one move ahead of her opponents."
CCTV camera footages show how luckily Kocal was one move ahead of the death.
If the Giants win, our panelists agree, it goes something like this: Bumgarner wins both of his starts, Pablo Sandoval and Buster Posey deliver big hits, and Bochy stays one move ahead of Yost.
GUUS HIDDINK is usually one move ahead - which is why his old Dutch 'foe' Mario Melchiot thinks he can bring Chelsea success AND juggle two jobs.
"Since election day Obama has been staying one move ahead on the chess board of politics," observed Brian Jones, a Republican consultant and former aide to John McCain's campaign.
"If all you do is copy the other guy then you are bound to lose because he will get to checkmate one move ahead of you."
Test cricket can be like a game of chess as the captain and his team attempt to stay at least one move ahead of the opposition.
Zemmama slipped another pass down the left and inside Malcolm as Nish burst free but Smith was one move ahead and rushed from his line to block his shot.
New Liskeard -- Mid-Canada Fiberglass Limited (MCF) stays at least one move ahead of its competition, making it the number one manufacturer for Scott and Bluewater Canoes, and Impex kayaks in Canada.
It is like a chess player planning just one move ahead. Proponents like Timothy Beard and Ivan Eland of the libertarian Cato Institute argue that deterrence won't work against irrational rogues, but also make the assumption the rogues are so thoroughly irrational that they wouldn't anticipate an effective missile defense, despite all the media noise about its construction.
Lewis made his pile by being one move ahead of the opposition and there is no doubt that the Millennium opens up rich, unchartered frontiers for computer-led gambling.
In chess, of course, the key is looking at least one move ahead as you plot to outwit your opponent.