# steal a march

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/steal-a-march
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To gain an advantage unobserved.

## Examples

- They stole a march on their rivals by launching the product early.
- By finishing the research before anyone else, the team stole a march on their competitors in the industry.
- The quiet startup stole a march on the established giants by quietly securing the patent before the market realized its true potential.

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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.