ahead of/behind the curve

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.

See also: ahead, curve, of

behind the curve

Not up to date or current in some area. Often said of politicians. Can you believe he made that sexist remark about women in the workplace? Wow, he's really behind the curve! A: "Yikes, that's one hideous logo." B: "I know, the company is definitely behind the curve in terms of graphic design." That candidate is certainly behind the curve if he thinks the people of this town aren't concerned about jobs and the economy.

See also: behind, curve

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

behind (or ahead of) the curve

behind (or in advance of) the current trend.

The expression is probably based on the notion of the curve of a graph.

2005 Stylus Magazine Everyone knows the cultural stereotype – the Japanese are hopelessly, adorably behind the curve when it comes to Western music styles.

See also: behind, curve

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

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.

See also: ahead, behind, curve, of

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

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.

See also: ahead, curve, of

behind the curve

Slow to react to changing conditions. Criticizing the Obama administration’s plans to stimulate the economy as too modest, the economist Paul Krugman wrote, “. . . the plan was too small and too cautious. The latest data . . . suggest that the Obama administration’s economic policies are already falling behind the curve” (New York Times, March 8, 2009). See also ahead of the curve.

See also: behind, curve

The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer