steal a march on
US /stiːl ə mɑːrtʃ ɒn/
UK /stiːl ə mɑːrtʃ ɒn/
1.
to gain an advantage over someone by acting first or secretly
:
•
The company tried to steal a march on its competitors by releasing the new product early.
•
She managed to steal a march on her rivals by submitting her proposal a day early.