get ahead
phrasal verb.phrasal verb. to be more successful than other people, especially in your job or career.
phrasal verb. to make progress or achieve success in a competitive environment, particularly in professional or financial contexts.
She works hard because she wants to get ahead.
Learning a second language is a great way to get ahead in the international business world.
In an increasingly saturated job market, young professionals often feel pressured to work overtime just to get ahead of their peers.
often used with 'in' to specify the field or 'of' to specify the competition.
contrast with 'get by' (to survive/manage) to show how 'get ahead' implies moving forward and winning rather than just maintaining.
He wants to get ahead his colleagues.He wants to get ahead of his colleagues.when comparing yourself to others, you must use the preposition 'of' after the phrase.
Last updated April 24, 2026