get ahead

verb

1. to be successful; prosper

2. (foll by of) to surpass or excel

Idioms and Phrases

Succeed or make progress, especially in one's career or in society. For example, She put in many hours of overtime in order to get ahead . [c. 1800]

Save a little money, as in After we settle the hospital bill, we hope to get ahead enough to buy a new car .

get ahead of . Move in front of, as in I got ahead of her in line .

get ahead of . Outdo, surpass, as in We were determined to get ahead of the competition . Also see ahead of the game .

Example Sentences

Stockpiles in London drained early this year when traders stashed precious metals on planes and ships to send to the U.S. to get ahead of possible tariffs.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“I think the market can get ahead of itself really quickly,” he said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The upswing at the start of 2025, as U.S. importers ramped up orders to get ahead of proposed tariffs, fell away in the second quarter of the year.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The latest numbers show how American households are struggling to get ahead, particularly as income gains stall for those below the highest earners.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

This is an edition of the WSJ Careers & Leadership newsletter, a weekly digest to help you get ahead and stay informed about careers, business, management and leadership.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal