Definition

1. Verb (idiomatic phrase):
   • To gain an early advantage over someone; to act before someone else can, thereby securing a more favorable position. This phrase specifically describes the act of being first to take action or to arrive at a situation, which results in a head start over rivals or competitors.

Usage

• The core meaning is to obtain a tactical lead by acting sooner than others.
• It is often used in competitive contexts such as business, sports, or any situation involving rivalry.
• The typical structure is: [Subject] + get(s)/got/have gotten + the jump on + [Competitor(s)].

Examples

• Verb:
  • Our research team got the jump on the industry by filing the patent first.
  • By launching the product a month early, the company got the jump on its competitors.
  • We need to get the jump on this story before other news outlets report it.

Advanced Usage

• "to have the jump on someone": This variant uses "have" to describe the state of already possessing the early advantage.
  • Because they started planning last year, they already have the jump on us.

Variants and Related Words

• Head start (n): An advantage gained by beginning earlier than others.
  • Starting the project in January gave them a significant head start.
• Preempt (v): To take action to prevent an event or to forestall someone else's action.
  • They preempted the market with a cheaper alternative.

Synonyms

• Anticipate: To act as a precursor to; to forestall.
• Beat someone to the punch: To do something before someone else does.
• Steal a march on: To gain an advantage over a competitor by acting secretly or sooner.

Related Phrases

• Get a head start: To begin before others, gaining an initial advantage.
  • The extra funding allowed the lab to get a head start on the experiment.
• Be one step ahead: To be more prepared or advanced than someone else.
  • By monitoring trends, the analyst stayed one step ahead of the market.

Related Idioms

• First mover advantage: A business concept where the initial significant occupant of a market segment gains a competitive advantage.
  • Their strategy relied on the first mover advantage by being the first to offer such a service online.

Verb

1. be there first
   • They had gotten the jump on their competitors