get ahead of (oneself)

get ahead of (oneself)

To plan or become overly excited for a possible future event. A: "I love this house, I can't wait to live here!" B: "Whoa, the sellers still have to accept your offer, so don't get ahead of yourself." I think she's getting ahead of herself here—I mean, they've only been dating a few weeks, and she's practically planning their wedding. I know you'd love to go to this school, but don't get ahead of yourself—you still have to take the SATs, for one thing.

See also: ahead, get, of

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

get ahead of oneself

Fig. [for someone] to do or say something sooner than it ought to be done so that the proper explanation or preparations have not been made. I have to stick to my notes or I will get ahead of myself in my lecture. When he bought a new little bicycle before the baby was born, he was getting ahead of himself.

See also: ahead, get, of

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.