one step ahead

one step 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 step ahead of the new girl threatening to take my job. That crook hasn't been arrested yet because he's always one step ahead of the cops.
See also: ahead, one, step
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

a/one step aˈhead (of somebody/something)

when you are one step ahead of somebody/something, you manage to avoid them or to achieve something more quickly than they do: One of the reasons why they’re so successful as a business is because they always seem to be one step ahead of the competition.
See also: ahead, one, step
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
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
MTFA President Mian Rizwan Ali said he has always strived to promote football at all levels and MTFA is always one step ahead of the football community in providing excellent opportunities to the budding football generation.
Trent Alexander-Arnold admits he strives to be one step ahead of his opponents - and has worked on doing this since joining Liverpool's academy.
These questions and more will form part of the discussions at the last leg of the One Step Ahead Series on June 4, 2019, at The Peninsula Manila.
Follow the Money BBC Four, 9pm Alf and Stine hunt for the wounded Nicky, but find that he is one step ahead of them, while Anna's family is sought out by Lala and his criminal partners.
'You know one thing with this criminals is that they are always one step ahead of you and even if every SIM card is properly registered, there will still be a crime.
As for the foldable smartphones, Kwon said that the company has already introduced a rollable TV which is one step ahead of foldable technology.
THE Daily Mirror Racing Diary is still available at the reduced price of PS4.99 and the 2019 edition is better than ever packed full of essential info to keep you one step ahead of the bookies.
Launched on the back of a vibrant new brand, this initiative re-energises the core philosophy of empowering customers and keeping them 'One Step Ahead', the company said in a press release.
The president, Woo Chul, Choi, has excellent contacts with the brand names operating in the sports shoe sector and provides them with textile solutions so that they are always one step ahead. This entrepreneur has demonstrated his pioneering spirit in his trendsetting collections.
Khaadi is going one step ahead and launching their store with a spectacular 30% flat sale that would last non-stop for 40 hours starting from 9 a.m.
Lead star Jaimie Alexander recently said that (http://ew.com/tv/2017/02/07/blindspot-jane-weller-romance-alexander/) Sandstorm's mole is once again one step ahead of Jane Doe and Kurt Weller (Sullivan Stapleton ).
Anticipatory customer service, however, is about being one step ahead. It's intuitive.
Assistant Chief Officer Ridley added: "This is just one of a number of exciting IT systems which the force is developing to ensure we stay one step ahead of criminals and also deal with less funding from the Government." The system will be offered to other forces across the country free of charge.
However, the hunters always seem to be one step ahead and the youngster realises his chances of survival are slim.