be ahead of (someone or something's) time

be ahead of (someone 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.

See also: ahead, of, time

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