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
Their pet platypus, Perry (Dee Bradley Baker), who continues his double life as the suave Agent P, who's always one step ahead of Dr. Doofenshmirtz (Dan Povenmire), the bumbling evil scientist trying to take over the Tri-State Area.
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EW.com, 7 June 2025
Over the past few years, the foggy strains of leftfield dance music that Purelink tapped into on their debut EP have grown in popularity, but the trio has stayed one step ahead of the revival.
—Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 6 June 2025
Further communication between the smuggler and his potential customer offers a glimpse at how some criminals may be managing to stay one step ahead of authorities.
—Aarne Heikkila, NBC news, 17 May 2025
From Bloody Sunday to Turnaround Tuesday to mass meetings in Selma and King’s famous speech, Martin was always a step ahead of the demonstrators, walking backwards from Selma to Montgomery, capturing their emotions and heroic efforts through the lens of his camera.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
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EW.com, 7 June 2025
Over the past few years, the foggy strains of leftfield dance music that Purelink tapped into on their debut EP have grown in popularity, but the trio has stayed one step ahead of the revival.
—Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 6 June 2025
Further communication between the smuggler and his potential customer offers a glimpse at how some criminals may be managing to stay one step ahead of authorities.
—Aarne Heikkila, NBC news, 17 May 2025
From Bloody Sunday to Turnaround Tuesday to mass meetings in Selma and King’s famous speech, Martin was always a step ahead of the demonstrators, walking backwards from Selma to Montgomery, capturing their emotions and heroic efforts through the lens of his camera.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for a/one step ahead of
Cite this Entry
“A/one step ahead of.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/a%2Fone%20step%20ahead%20of. Accessed 14 Jun. 2025.
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