head start

American  

Or headstart

noun

1. an advantage given or acquired in any competition, endeavor, etc., as allowing one or more competitors in a race to start before the others.

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head start British  

noun

1. an initial advantage in a competitive situation

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head start Idioms  

1. An early start that confers an advantage, as in This year we'll get a head start on the competition by running more ads. The expression comes from racing, where it was used for a horse being given an advantage of several lengths over the others. Its extension to other areas dates from the early 1900s.

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Etymology

Origin of head start

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

“P&G’s competitive advantages in market research, R&D, and media certainly provide them with a head start,” wrote TD Cowen analysts in a recent note to clients.

From MarketWatch

Maybe I’m imagining it, but my head starts to ache, probably from the wireless signals.

From Literature

We were amazed at how wonderfully that program helped our kids get a head start at school.

From The Wall Street Journal

The latter, however, has made its money much faster, racking up that sum since 2005 while the others had a head starts ranging from 29 years to 14 years.

From MarketWatch

In a baking pan, cook a snug bed of sliced potatoes in a little water to get a head start on tenderizing.

From The Wall Street Journal