Keep one step ahead of Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈkip/ /ˈwən/ /ˈstɛp/ /əˈhɛd/ /ˈəv

KEEP wun STEP uh-HED uhv

UK

kˈiːp/ /wˈɒn/ /stˈɛp/ /ɐhˈɛd/ /ˈɒv

KEEP won STEP uh-HED ov

Definition

To always be slightly ahead of someone or something, often by anticipating their actions or changes, in order to succeed or avoid problems.

Usage & Nuances

This is an idiomatic, slightly formal expression often used in business, competition, or technology. Commonly paired with 'the competition', 'your rivals', or 'changes'. It suggests active effort to anticipate others, not just being lucky.

• Spanish: mantenerse un paso adelante de
• Portuguese (BR): ficar um passo à frente de
• Portuguese (PT): manter-se um passo à frente de
• Chinese (Simplified): 比...领先一步
• Chinese (Traditional): 比...領先一步
• Hindi: से एक कदम आगे रहना
• Arabic: تظل متقدمًا بخطوة على
• Bengali: এক কদম এগিয়ে থাকা - আগেভাগে প্রস্তুত থাকা
• Russian: быть на шаг впереди
• Japanese: 一歩先を行く
• Vietnamese: đi trước một bước
• Korean: 한 발 앞서다
• Turkish: bir adım önde olmak
• Urdu: ایک قدم آگے ہونا
• Indonesian: selangkah lebih maju

Example Sentences

You need to keep one step ahead of the competition to succeed.

basic

Good companies always keep one step ahead of market changes.

basic

To be safe, you should keep one step ahead of danger.

basic

He tries to keep one step ahead of his rivals by learning new skills every year.

natural

If we want to win this game, we have to keep one step ahead of our opponents at all times.

natural

She was able to keep one step ahead of the latest trends and start a popular business.

natural