stay one jump ahead

stay one jump ahead

To maintain an advantageous position (over another person or an impending occurrence) by being proactive. I'm studying hard to stay one jump ahead of Christine, who is my main competition for valedictorian. I'm going to leave early and take the side streets so I can stay one jump ahead of the traffic.
See also: ahead, jump, one, stay

be/stay one jump aˈhead (of somebody/something)

have/keep your advantage over somebody by taking action before they do or by making sure you know more than they do: For years he has managed to stay one jump ahead of the police. ♢ People who are successful in business are always one jump ahead of the competition.
See also: ahead, jump, one, stay
References in periodicals archive ?
Byline: EVAN WILLIAMS Stay one jump ahead with the leading NH trainer
CLASS ACT CAN GIVE YOU A RUN FOR YOUR MONEY; GRAND NATIONAL
If asked to nominate one of our newbatch of youngsterswhomight goon tobe topclass over fences a fewyears down the line, I'd choose this one' Find out who is the apple of his eye STAY ONE JUMP AHEAD IRISH
IN THIS WEEK'S IRISH RACING POST
MEET Bebe the disabled rabbit, who likes to stay one jump ahead.
It's the Easter buggy
TARONGO is expected to stay one jump ahead of the handicapper with another win at Stratford today.
Racing: Tarongo should do the trick
In the meantime, boss Allan Maitland will have to shake his team up and quickly if they are to stay one jump ahead of Thistle, who have been rallying under Dick Campbell.
Football: Cramb: I dodged SPL for Accies; HAMILTON 0 CLYDE 1
Therefore, we waste our time guessing at UK targets and must hope our intelligence network can stay one jump ahead of Al-Qaeda.
DAILY POST COMMENT: Now we have to fight the inevitable war of fear
My second thought will be: ``How come the designer drug manufacturers always manage to stay one jump ahead of the testing agencies?
Selina Scott: Drug makers are the real winners
Sweden's Christian Olsson leaps to the gold medal in the European Championships last year but can he stay one jump ahead of his hero and nemesis Jonathan Edwards (inset) at the NIA?
ATHLETICS: Friend and foe inspires Olsson
That's how it is in this business - trying to stay one jump ahead.
Football: Mark's Mr Wright for the Glens
But things are different in America where, to stay one jump ahead of her rivals, legal specialist Rosalie Osias displays her services in an altogether unique way.
TV Plus; Rosie shows her legal BRIEFS
She was later spotted twice at nearby Meadowells Farm, but managed to stay one jump ahead of her pursuers.
Cops caught on the hop by wandering wallaby
Byline: NEWSBOY, EVAN WILLIAMS Stay one jump ahead with the leading NH trainer
TIME ON OUR SIDE; Time for a shock .. back D'Albain
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