# first-mover disadvantage

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/first-mover-disadvantage
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A situation in which a company or individual that creates or introduces a new idea, product, or service is later at a disadvantage because others are able to copy or improve upon it, making the original seem less innovative or valuable, or because of other factors, such as breaking down barriers (at a cost) that others thus won't have to face.

## Examples

- The first company suffered from a first-mover disadvantage.
- Small businesses often fear a first-mover disadvantage when they try something completely new.
- The startup spent millions on new technology, only to face a first-mover disadvantage when competitors launched cheaper, improved versions later.
- You might face a first-mover disadvantage if you spend your entire budget educating customers, only for a rival to steal them with a slightly better price.
- The inventor realized the first-mover disadvantage when she saw other brands fix the small design flaws that her original product had struggled with for years.
- By investing heavily in unproven infrastructure, the firm encountered a significant first-mover disadvantage, as later entrants capitalized on the market without bearing the initial development costs.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.