one step ahead

English

Pronunciation

• Audio (General Australian):

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Adverb

one step ahead (not comparable)

1. (idiomatic) maintaining a slight advantage; continuing to lead

   Synonym: one jump ahead

   • 2007, Xavier: Renegade Angel, season 1, episode 2:

     Chalaza: Okay, Thursday night, it's mailroom Monday, we just got our new shipment.
     Xavier (Vernon Chatman): What do you do if the cops come knocking?
     Chalaza: We toilet-flush the drugs.
     Xavier: Let's stay one step ahead of the cops, flush them now.
     Chalaza: I like, one step ahead of the policia.

   • 2011 January 5, Jonathan Stevenson, “Arsenal 0 - 0 Man City”, in BBC‎^[1]:

     Wilshere had another shot saved low down by Hart as City struggled to keep up with Arsenal's flowing forward play, the home team always appeared to be one step ahead as City boss Roberto Mancini showed his annoyance by remonstrating with his players on the touchline.

See also

• initiative
• on the attack
• on the defensive
• tempo