a/one step ahead of

idiom

1

: better prepared than (someone or something)

The teacher really has to work to keep one step ahead of the class.

She always seems to be one step ahead of me.

2

: able to avoid being caught or found by (someone or something)

So far the killer has managed to stay one step ahead of the police/law.

Examples of a/one step ahead of in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Access to and control of information has become a primary battleground, and more often than not, private sector organizations have emerged to provide the capacity needed to be one step ahead of the threat environment, taking these on with finesse and resilience. —Zenger News, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024

Jedi trapped behind enemy lines, including Avar Kriss, must fight to help the worlds being pillaged by the Nihil while staying one step ahead of the marauders and their Nameless terrors. —EW.com, 2 Nov. 2023

Stock up on the popular Dr. Scholl's Time Off Sneakers for walking-heavy trips, the waterproof Sorel Brex Chelsea Boots to stay one step ahead of those pesky April showers, and the versatile Tory Burch Women's Ballet Loafers to put a sleek finishing touch on your favorite travel looks. —Amber Love Bond, Travel + Leisure, 23 Mar. 2024

To stay one step ahead of the high demand—and higher prices—buy your Independence Day airfares three months in advance, according to Hopper’s data. —Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Mar. 2024

By utilizing these algorithms, the tech system can continuously adapt to new threats, ensuring that organizations are always one step ahead of fraudsters. —Ivan Guzenko, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024

Israeli soldiers also have discovered evidence that Sinwar may have been one step ahead of them, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said in public remarks earlier this month. —Shane Harris, Washington Post, 26 Feb. 2024

As four months after the Oct. 7 terrorist attack on Israel approaches, the elusive Hamas leader believed to be the architect of the assault has managed to stay one step ahead of Israel’s military and intelligence services. —Anna Schecter, NBC News, 24 Jan. 2024

The series also employs the old device of identifying the killer in the early moments, putting the audience a step ahead of everyone except perhaps Elsbeth, who has a knack for zeroing in on the smallest of clues. —Brian Lowry, CNN, 29 Feb. 2024