be ahead of schedule

To be at a particular point of progress earlier than was specified on a given schedule or deadline. Since the contractor and his crew are ahead of schedule on the renovations, we were able to move into the house before winter arrived. I didn't think we'd be working on the prototype until March at the earliest, so we're actually way ahead of schedule. Actually, I think I'll be able to finish this paper tonight—I'm ahead of schedule for once!