be before (someone)

1. To be physically in front of someone or something. The evidence of his crime was before him on the table. I stood before the courthouse with a horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach. The second I was before the crowd, my nerves disappeared, as if by magic.

2. To be ahead of someone or something in sequence. I organize my books by author, so the books by Hemingway need to be before the books by Joyce. You can't just skip ahead like that in the application process. There are dozens of other people before you! Hey, we were all before you! Get to the back of the line, pal!

3. To be awaiting or in store for someone in the future. I know things feel a little hopeless right now, but your whole life is still before you. Yes, you missed out on your daughter's childhood, but plenty of milestones are still before you two. You two haven't been married for very long. Plenty of wonderful, exhilarating moments are before you still.

4. To be under the jurisdiction or consideration of someone or something. Your case is before the Committee of Internal Affairs. They will decide the fate of your career. Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, the choice is now before you—set this man free, or condemn him to a life in prison. Right now, there are two other candidates before the head of the department. I still think you have a good shot at getting the job, though.