ahead of the curve

ahead of the curve

1. Better than average. I'm not sure how I did on that exam, but I think I'll end up ahead of the curve.
2. At the forefront of or leading in something, such as a developing situation, field of study or business, social development, etc. The new professor is way ahead of the curve with his research into genetics.
See also: ahead, curve, of
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

ahead of/behind the ˈcurve

(especially American English, business) in advance of or behind a particular trend: Our expert advice will help you stay ahead of the curve. We’ve fallen behind the curve when it comes to using the Internet.
See also: ahead, behind, curve, of
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

ahead of the curve

Anticipating events, circumstances, problems. Similar to ahead of the pack, it may apply to knowing beforehand what election polls will indicate, or what the stock market will do. Philip Delves Broughton used it in the title of his book, Ahead of the Curve: Two Years at Harvard Business School (2008). See also behind the curve.
See also: ahead, curve, of
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • ahead of/behind the curve
  • spring to mind
  • have (something) at heart
  • ace it
  • aced
  • bomb out on (something)
  • blue
  • alpha
  • alpha and omega
  • alpha and omega, the
References in periodicals archive
Our goal is to stay ahead of the curve in printing ink technology and raw material procurement.
"As global regulations and quality pressures increase," says Bauer, "we have to invest to keep ahead of the curve."
The question is whether he's capable of getting ahead of the curve which is what Paulson will be demanding from a position probably considered the department's second most important given the Secretary's ambitions." One plus for Adams is his department's July 7 U.S.
Too often, the subtext theme seems to be "I was right," as Hart goes out of his way to show that he has been ahead of the curve, from predicting the end of the Cold War, warning of the 9/11 attacks to arguing for much greater efforts in homeland security before it was fashionable.
"That may take a year, or five years, but those who begin the steps today to become RIOS-certified now will be ahead of the curve."
"Our business is driven by innovation and change and CustomerVision will help us stay ahead of the curve. The ability to update content easily and in real-time enables us to respond to the changing needs of our business and our customers.
The company stayed ahead of the curve in technology, particularly in adopting engineering resins.
He wants to make certain all are in alignment (to carry out the responsibilities FASB has been entrusted with, empowered by the SEC to be the independent standard-setter in the U.S.), and that all are "staying ahead of the curve and not only meeting but exceeding the expectations associated with those responsibilities." That will take some assessment, he says, to determine the current activities and some planning as to whether a change is required and what actions will be implemented, if necessary.
Squadron personnel working outside were particularly susceptible to becoming heat casualties, so they had to stay ahead of the curve in terms of hydration.
AHEAD OF THE CURVE: The Establishment is gradually acknowledging the fact that the Iraq war, occupation, and newly proposed Iraqi Constitution represent a step backward for Iraq--perhaps even from Saddam Hussein's horrible tyranny.
Best and other raters are paying increasing attention to how organizations integrate ratings into their operations and whether companies' use of technology is ahead of the curve. An inside view from A.M.
Editor's Note: The information in this article first appeared in "Ahead of the Curve," a free weekly electronic newsletter.
"We're getting ahead of the curve here." Not as far ahead as Kansas and Colorado legislators, who voted to prohibit the alcohol vaporizers while their Florida counterparts were still dithering.
Telecommunications companies are ahead of the curve on their ability to measure Hispanic ROI because they can immediately track the destination of the call, profitability on a per minute basis, and in large part, who is making the call.