Meaning of the word "get ahead of" in English

What does "get ahead of" mean in English? Explore the meaning, pronunciation, and specific usage of this word with Lingoland.

get ahead of

US /ɡɛt əˈhɛd əv/
UK /ɡɛt əˈhɛd əv/

Phrasal Verb

1.

to make progress or succeed more quickly than others

Example:
She worked hard to get ahead of her classmates in the competition.
If you want to get ahead of the competition, you need to innovate.
2.

to deal with something successfully before it becomes a problem

Example:
We need to get ahead of this issue before it escalates.
By planning carefully, they managed to get ahead of potential obstacles.