ahead of the pack

ahead of the pack

Having an advantage over or outperforming other competitors. This computer system is certainly ahead of the pack in terms of cost and performance. Susan was able to stay ahead of the pack for most of the race.
See also: ahead, of, pack
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

ahead of the pack

If a person or organization is ahead of the pack, they are more successful than their competitors or others in a group. Hoping to stay ahead of the pack, the company has developed a new bike frame that weighs just 2.7 pounds. These parents want their child to be ahead of the pack academically. Note: A pack here is a group of animals such as hounds or wolves.
See also: ahead, of, pack
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

ahead of the ˈpack

if a person, company, etc. is ahead of the pack, they start to do something before other people, especially their rivals: The company was ahead of the pack in recognizing the huge potential of the Internet.
See also: ahead, of, pack
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

ahead of the pack

In advance of the rest of a group, doing better than the others. The noun pack has been used for a group of persons since the 1400s, although for about 400 years it had a derogatory connotation, as in “a pack of thieves.” That sense is not implied in the cliché. The act of advancing beyond the others is called breaking out of the pack. A related phrase is ahead of the game, meaning in a position of advantage, usually financial advantage. The game here alludes to gambling, but the term is applied to any endeavor.
See also: ahead, of, pack
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • streets ahead
  • pack
  • go to the pack
  • be ahead of the pack
  • four seasons in one day
  • one-up (someone)
  • on (one's) way to (someone or some place)
  • pack (one's) bag(s)
  • pack your bag
  • pack your bags
References in periodicals archive
Stay Ahead of the Pack: Your Comprehensive Guide to the Upper Level Curriculum
Stay Ahead of the Pack: Your Comprehensive Guide to the Upper Level Curriculum
After coming ahead of the pack in treacherous and slippy conditions, Chris Hepworth and Tanisha Prince, both 28, will now enter the world championships in Finland officially as man and wife.
Proposal joy for winning race couple
It's good to be ahead of the pack, but not too far ahead.
First things first
According to the report by the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI), both countries remained ahead of the pack, with France taking the number-three spot for educating 40 world leaders.
UK loses premier education title; UK BULLETINS
Three-time Kenyan champion Baldev Singh Chager is on course to clinch the 2018 Top Fry Classic Safari Rally title after some exhilarating displays on day four to stay ahead of the pack in at the Rift Valley Motor and Sports Club organized event.
No letting go Chager charges on as South African Bell jumps into second spot
Quezon City and Batangas carved out a pair of solid victories on Saturday night to stay ahead of the pack in the 2018 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Anta Rajah Cup at the Imus Sports Complex.
QC, Batangas post victories
Hawkins was in stunning form last year as he raced ahead of the pack to take the top spot in the podium ahead of Lachlan Oates and Kristian Jones.
Hopeful Habbies get ready for the big race; Athletics
The Pirates turned a 34-35 deficit at the end of three quarters into a convincing victory as they remained ahead of the pack.
NCAA: Lyceum cruises to sixth straight win
North added: "We've got to get ahead of the pack as early as we can and stay up there for as long as we can.
NORTH: LET'S LEAD FROM FRONT THIS YEAR
The hitman feels Rangers, Hibs and Falkirk are ahead of the pack leaving Raith, Morton, Queens and St Mirren to scrap for fourth.
Goal hero is mascot unawares
V Srinivasan, executive director in charge of corporate banking, said, 'We have been very strong in the transaction banking space and we are trying to make sure that we stay ahead of the pack and gain market share.'
Axis Bank to offer mobile solutions to corporate entities
Ford Fiesta driver Julian Godfrey took advantage of Scott's mishap and immediately took the lead, staying ahead of the pack to score his second win of 2015.
Albatec enjoy mixed fortunes at Mondello
Ducati's Andrea Iannone edged ahead of the pack to finish fourth, with the gap between him and eighth-placed Daniel Pedrosa a little over five seconds.
Dutch courage sees Rossi take honours; MOTORCYCLING
Richard flew across the finish line ahead of the pack at an average overall speed of 373KPH in his unique airplane "Hot Stuff" to win the first-ever air race in Africa in what is known as the formula one air racing class.
Swedish pilot wins first round of Air Race 1 World Cup