advance (something) to (one)

To pay one ahead of schedule. Maria's boss advanced next week's paycheck to her so that she could pay her car repair bill. Unfortunately, you'll have to submit the piece in order to get paid. We never advance payment to anyone. I know I'm not supposed to get paid till next Thursday, but is there any chance you could advance the money to me now?

advance (up)on (something or some place)

To move forward or maneuver toward a location or goal, such as in a military offensive or a similarly coordinated march or effort. The army advanced upon the enemy capital. After gathering at city hall, the protesters advanced on the senator's office. Those two countries have long been on the brink of all-out war. I would not be surprised to see one advance upon the other at the slightest provocation.

See also: advance

advance notice

A notification, signal, or sign that something is going to happen or is expected to happen. I know that we were all surprised that Dad decided to move to China, but I think his learning Mandarin last year was something of an advance notice. The whole family getting together is basically an advance notice that there will be a fight before the end of the night! Hmm, the print quality is still terrible. I guess that "low ink" message I saw earlier this week was a bit of an advance notice, huh?

advance the ball

In sports such as basketball and football, to move the ball closer to the goal (i.e. the basket or end zone). They were unable to advance the ball on fourth down, so their opponent took possession. If they can't advance the ball on this play, it's game over. Say goodbye to your hopes of a comeback. It's a set play where they advance the ball and then take a shot right at the buzzer.

advance toward (something or some place)

To move forward or maneuver toward a location or goal The army advanced toward the enemy capital. I crossed the street to avoid the strange man advancing toward me. If they can't advance toward the endzone on this play, it's game over. Say goodbye to your hopes of a comeback.

any advance on (something)

1. A phrase used by an auctioneer to try to increase the bids at an auction. I've got $500! Any advance on $500? I've got $350, any advance on $350? No? OK, going once, going twice, sold! To the gentleman in the big fluffy hat. Our opening bid is $75! Any advance on $75?

2. By extension, a way to ask if something has progressed. Any advance on that project I assigned you last week? A: "Any advance in the negotiations?" B: "No, the parties are still at a stalemate." He never called you back? I'd been wondering if you'd had any advance on this, but I guess not.

be ahead of (someone's or something's) time

To be more innovative than can be properly appreciated during the time that someone or something is producing such innovation. He was really ahead of his time with this music—critics in the 1970s just couldn't see it. That show was really ahead of its time tackling issues like that. That 19th-century scientist was definitely ahead of his time with his detailed plan of space travel.

be in advance of (someone's or something's) time

To be more innovative than can be properly appreciated during the time that someone or something is producing such innovation. He was really in advance of his time with this music—critics in the 1970s just couldn't see it. That show was really in advance of its time tackling issues like that. That 19th-century scientist was definitely in advance of his time with his detailed plan of space travel.

in advance

Prior to something else, such as the start of something, a deadline, or the occurrence of an event. Unfortunately, you'll have to submit the piece in order to get paid. We never pay in advance. I like to check out the route in advance so I don't run into any surprises when I'm driving to my interview. You need to prepare for all 10 essay questions because you won't know in advance which ones are on the exam.

See also: advance

in advance of (someone or something)

Before; ahead of. You'll need to get a drug test in advance of starting this job. He was really in advance of his time with this music—critics in the 1970s just couldn't see it. How did you leave in advance of us and still get here after us?

make advances

To approach someone in a flirtatious, amorous, or sexual manner; to try or begin to seduce someone. Terry was fired after he began making advances at his secretary. I really wish I could go out to a bar or a club without a half dozen men making advances.

make advances at (one)

To approach one in a flirtatious, amorous, or sexual manner; to try or begin to seduce one. Terry was fired after he began making advances at his secretary. I really wish I could go out to a bar or a club without a half dozen men making advances at me.

make advances to (one)

To approach one in a flirtatious, amorous, or sexual manner; to try or begin to seduce one. Terry was fired after he began making advances to his secretary. I really wish I could go out to a bar or a club without a half dozen men making advances to me.

on advance notice

With a notification, signal, or sign ahead of time that something is going to happen or is expected to happen. I can only give a speech on advance notice so that I have time to settle my nerves. It seems clear that he was able to prepare his answers to the committee's questions on advance notice.

pay (for something) in advance

To make a payment before one collects or receives the thing being purchased. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used after "pay" to specify who is being paid. You'll have to pay them in advance for the tickets. You can reserve the new computer online, and you don't have to pay for it in advance. I hope you didn't pay him for the work in advance.

thank you in advance

An expression of gratitude said to someone in written communication, especially email, when one has asked them to do something, answer a question, or provide some information. Please let me know as soon as you have confirmation from the board. Thank you in advance. Thank you in advance for your help with this issue.

thanks in advance

with advance notice

Following or having a notification, signal, or sign that something is going to happen or is expected to happen in the near future. If you provide us with advance notice, we'll be able to arrange for a car to meet you at the airport. Mary's brother and his wife and kids just showed up at our door with no advance notice, expecting us to host them for a week and a half. I could have planned a much better dinner with a bit of advance notice, you know!

advance something to someone or something (against something)

to make an early payment of a sum of money promised or owed to a person or organization. We advanced the money to Tom against his next month's salary.

advance to(ward) someone or something

to move forward in the direction of someone or something. The line of people slowly advanced to the door of the theater.

advance (up)on someone or something

to move toward someone or something. (Typically in military maneuvers or in team sports, such as American football. Upon is more formal and less commonly used than on.) They advanced upon the town, firing their rifles and shouting.

in advance

[of something given, paid, or provided] before it is due. The bill isn't due for a month, but I paid it in advance. I want my pay in advance.

See also: advance

make advances to someone

and make advances at someone

to flirt with someone; to begin to seduce someone. She began making advances to me, and I left the room. Mary made advances at every male she encountered.

pay in advance

to pay (for something) before it is received or delivered. I want to make a special order. Will I have to pay in advance? Yes, please pay in advance.

with advance notice

and on advance notice

with some kind of notification or indication that something is going to happen or is expected before it actually happens. We are happy to provide special meals for anyone with advance notice.

in advance

1. Beforehand, ahead of time. For example, He insisted on being paid half his fee in advance.

2. in advance of. In front of, as in The point man moved in advance of the squad. [Mid-1600s]

See also: advance

make advances

1. Attempt to make someone's acquaintance or make overtures, as in The ambassador knew that the ministers would soon make advances to him. [Late 1600s]

2. Approach amorously or sexually, as in His wife accused him of making advances to the nanny. [c. 1700] Also see make a pass at.

any advance on —?

any higher bid than —?

This phrase is said by an auctioneer to elicit a higher bid, and so is used figuratively as a query about general progress in a particular matter.

in adˈvance (of something)

before the time that is expected; before something happens: a week/month/year in advance ♢ It’s cheaper if you book the tickets in advance. ♢ People were evacuated from the coastal regions in advance of the hurricane. OPPOSITE: in the wake of somebody/something

See also: advance

be ahead of/before/in advance of your ˈtime

have ideas or invent things before people are ready to accept them: He was sure that it was possible to fly to the moon, but he was ahead of his time and people laughed at him. ♢ She was a feminist before her time. OPPOSITE: be behind the times

See also: advance, ahead, before, of, time

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

advance on

or advance upon

To move increasingly closer to someone or something: On the last lap of the race, I looked back and saw the other runners advancing on me. The army advanced upon the enemy's position.

Thanks in advance

and TIA

phr. & comp. abb. an expression of gratitude given in advance of the hoped-for receipt of an answer to a question. I hope you can help me. TIA. Bob.

in advance

Ahead of time; beforehand.

See also: advance

in advance of

In front of; ahead of.

See also: advance, of

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

See also:

References in periodicals archive

A traditional business cash advance is solely based on the future projected receivables of a business and is unsecured, meaning there is limited recourse if an advance is not satisfied by a borrower.

Cast Capital partners with direct lenders to provide collateral-based cash advances

It said that,"[o]n facts very similar to this case, the court [in Karns] focused on the substance of the transaction and found it an advance payment of income:' The IRS also cited the Tax Court decision in Westpac in support of its conclusion.

Retail cash advances: loans or income?

Advances in complex systems-level understanding must ultimately include models that account for these variations.

NIGMS national centers for systems biology

We must not discourage research and development by companies seeking to advance technology.

Preserving our edge

Another difference between large and small music publishers is in the amount of advance money a songwriter can receive.

Turning melodies into royalties: the real avenue in the music business is in the ownership rights to the hits. Here's how to publish and not perish

The Advance Group is leading the way in utilizing the power of technology to provide greater service, more expertise and a tighter control of costs.

How technology is affecting property management

During the years at issue, Westpac entered into agreements with vendors, such as GTE Sylvania, America Greetings and McCormick, to buy inventory and receive cash in advance. Under each contract, Westpac agreed to buy a minimum quantity of merchandise and receive a volume discount (i.e., cash up-front).

Westpac Pacific Food: advance trade discounts are not income

The Tax Court ruled the advances were not loans because they were unsecured, were demand notes with no fixed maturity date, lacked an unconditional obligation of repayment and would not be repaid unless Indmar recorded a profit.

Cash advances to a corporation: loan or capital contribution?

(2) Each Federal Reserve Bank shall require any information it believes appropriate or desirable to ensure that assets tendered as collateral for advances or for discount are acceptable and that the borrower uses the credit provided in a manner consistent with this part.

Final rule--amendment to regulations A and D. (Legal Developments)

In addition, it's helpful to examine Intel's architecture advances, because most of them are now reproduced (albeit with different monikers) by AMD Corp.

Pentium, The Fourth: Finally, More Than Just Megahertz

In May 1888, Wilson, North Carolina, "educationally speaking," had reached "a crisis in her existence." "Our future in every department of progress," wrote Josephus Daniels, the editor of the local newspaper, the Wilson Advance, "depends to an alarming extent upon the manner in which we sustain the schools we already have and the efforts we make to establish other institutions of learning."(1) The Wilson graded schools, one for white children and one for black children, had closed in 1884, and the editor now hoped to persuade merchants and planters in and about Wilson to finance the white graded school privately, although not the school for black children.

New schooling for a New South: a community study of education and social change, 1875-1885

Tax Court: In Indmar, the Tax Court held that certain shareholder cash advances denominated as loans were really equity, thereby denying the corporate taxpayer interest expense deductions for payments on these advances.

Debt vs. equity: the saga continues

There, the Tax Court held that certain shareholder cash advances labeled as loans were really equity, thereby denying the corporate taxpayer interest expense deductions on the repayments.

Courts try to distinguish debt from equity: the age-old question continues

The AIT1 tape drive design embodied a number of hardware and media advances that combined to deliver reliable, cost-effective performance for many mid-range tape users.

The Fundamentals Of AIT Technology