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.

---

head start British  

noun

1. an initial advantage in a competitive situation

---

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.

---

Etymology

Origin of head start

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

This gives them a head start over Eli Lilly whose orforglipron pills are expected to gain approval in the first quarter of next year before a roll-out in the second quarter.

From MarketWatch

It’s paid off and I would like to give her a head start in life.

From MarketWatch

The announcements come as robotaxi rollouts are accelerating around the world, with companies competing to get a head start in regions like Asia and Europe.

From The Wall Street Journal

If your first punch is free, the consumer has an artificial head start and is incentivized to keep visiting to eventually get that free coffee or service.

From MarketWatch

In the end, the head start Red Bull's Max Verstappen had established in the first five races of the year was too much.

From BBC