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

A tree whose leaves had made a head start on autumn and turned red before any of the others.

From Literature

While Fiddelke only officially became CEO Feb. 1, his prior role as chief operating officer gave him a head start on the turnaround plan.

From Barron's

By the time the big monkey had reached the last limb on the sycamore tree, I had a pretty good head start on him.

From Literature

“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