ahead of the curve

1. Better than average. I'm not sure how I did on that exam, but I think I'll end up ahead of the curve. Her performance in sales this quarter is ahead of the curve, so she deserves a bonus. I haven't been that impressed with the crop of candidates for the sales position—only a few have been ahead of the curve.

2. At the forefront of or leading in something, such as a developing situation, field of study or business, social development, etc. The new professor is way ahead of the curve with his research into genetics. The new company I work for is ahead of the curve—I think some of their new instruments are going to revolutionize the field of medicine. If you want technology that's ahead of the curve, you'd better be prepared to pay for it.

ahead of/behind the ˈcurve

(especially American English, business) in advance of or behind a particular trend: Our expert advice will help you stay ahead of the curve. ♢ We’ve fallen behind the curve when it comes to using the Internet.

ahead of the curve

Anticipating events, circumstances, problems. Similar to ahead of the pack, it may apply to knowing beforehand what election polls will indicate, or what the stock market will do. Philip Delves Broughton used it in the title of his book, Ahead of the Curve: Two Years at Harvard Business School (2008). See also behind the curve.