get/have/gain a/the jump on

idiom

: to get or have an early advantage over (someone) by acting quickly or doing something first

The company came out with its software earlier than expected and got the jump on its competitors.

Examples of get/have/gain a/the jump on in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Keeping Them Indoors Too Long Many gardeners like to get a jump on summer by planting a dahlia in a pot indoors, then transplanting it into the garden. —Miranda Crowell, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 June 2025

Here’s where and when. UConn to lease space to get a jump on offering student housing. —Aaron Flaum, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 2025

And in 1897, the harbor towns of San Pedro and Wilmington weren’t within Los Angeles’ civic embrace, and L.A. was eager to get the jump on Long Beach. —Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2025

For those who were hoping to get a jump on holiday gifts by shopping on Amazon Prime Day in mid-July, tariffs are also causing some sellers to rethink their participation. —Rachel Barber, USA Today, 1 May 2025