We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Linguistics

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Does "Ahead of the Pack" Mean?

By Alicia Sparks
Updated: May 23, 2024
Views: 10,949
Share

The phrase “ahead of the pack” means some entity exceeds the efforts, accomplishments, or results of its contenders. This entity might be anything from a human being to a consumer product. For example, if a student has a better grasp on a particular subject matter than his classmates do, he might be considered ahead of the pack. Likewise, if a software company develops a computer antivirus program that detects and removes more viruses than other similar programs do, that antivirus program might be considered ahead of the pack. Generally, the phrase “ahead of the pack” is an informal one, but it’s not uncommon to encounter it during both informal and formal speech and writings.

Perhaps it’s easiest to understand idiomatic expression by first understanding the meaning of idioms. By definition, idioms are sayings meant to convey a certain message. Usually, these sayings are unique to a certain region, though that region can be as large as an entire country. Oftentimes, idioms are unique to certain professions and are considered part of the jargon of a particular occupation. Generally, idiomatic expressions aren’t clearly understandable based solely on their parts, but this isn’t always the case.

For example, “ahead of the pack” can be better understood when its main parts are broken down into individual meanings. For this idiom, we can think of the two main parts as “ahead” and “the pack.” In most English sayings, to “get ahead” or to “be ahead” means to excel, to make progress, or to be successful. “The pack” often refers to the group of people the person is competing against. This might be friendly competition, such as that among classmates or co-workers, or it might be a more serious rivalry, such as that among political candidates.

Like many idiomatic expressions, there are acceptable times and places to use the phrase “ahead of the pack.” Generally, these times and places are informal, such as when a teacher privately discusses a student’s progress or an employer is considering a certain employee for promotion. It’s not uncommon to see the phrase in personal letters, hear it during speeches or lectures, or read it on websites or blogs or in newspapers. Despite its informal nature, it’s also not uncommon to hear or see the idiom during slightly more formal situations. For example, a university’s president might use the phrase to praise his school during each freshman orientation, or a hospital’s chief of surgery might use the saying while describing a new surgical technique during a surgeons’ conference.

Share
Language & Humanities is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.languagehumanities.org/what-does-ahead-of-the-pack-mean.htm
Copy this link
Language & Humanities, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

Language & Humanities, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.