a/one step ahead

one step ahead

A little bit more prepared, skilled, or successful than someone or something else; able to outmaneuver or outpace someone or something.. I've been working extra hard so that I'm one step ahead of the new girl threatening to take my job. That crook hasn't been arrested yet because he's always one step ahead of the cops.

See also: ahead, one, step

a/one step aˈhead (of somebody/something)

when you are one step ahead of somebody/something, you manage to avoid them or to achieve something more quickly than they do: One of the reasons why they’re so successful as a business is because they always seem to be one step ahead of the competition.

See also: ahead, one, step