put (someone or something) ahead of (someone or something)

put (someone or something) ahead of (someone or something)

1. Literally, to place or designate someone or something in a position in front of someone or something else. We'll put the shorter students ahead of the taller ones for the performance. I put the shield ahead of me to absorb the impact.
2. To place or designate someone or something to occur before someone or something else in a sequence of events. We'll put the comedy act ahead of the musical routine for the talent show. They're putting the release of their new hardware ahead of the end of the fiscal year by a few weeks.
3. By extension, to put greater value on someone or something, or to regard someone or something more highly or favorably, than someone or something else. You really shouldn't put the needs of your company ahead of the needs of your family. I always felt like Mom put our baby brother ahead of Tommy and I when we were growing up.
See also: ahead, of, put
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

put someone or something ahead

 (of someone or something)
1. to move or place someone or something in front of someone or something. The teacher put Freddie ahead of Mike, because Mike had been disrespectful. Don't put him ahead! I didn't do anything.
2. to think of someone or something as more important than someone or something. I put Gerry ahead of Betty as far as strength is concerned. Yes, I would put Gary ahead. She put herself ahead of everyone else and expected special treatment.
See also: ahead, put
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • begin with
  • begin with (someone or something)
  • be/have done with somebody/something
  • be in line with (someone or something)
  • better of
  • (someone or something) promises well
  • bird has flown, the
  • beware of
  • beware of (someone or something)
  • be rough on (someone or something)