To get ahead means to advance in life or improve your position, especially through hard work and smart decisions. When students study diligently and complete their assignments on time, they get ahead in school. When someone saves money instead of spending it all, they're getting ahead financially.

The phrase often means making choices now that will benefit you later. A runner who trains hard during the off-season gets ahead of competitors who don't practice. A student who reads during summer vacation gets ahead in vocabulary and knowledge. The phrase suggests forward progress: you're moving toward your goals rather than standing still or falling behind.

People also use this phrase to mean gaining an advantage in a specific situation. If you finish your homework early, you've gotten ahead on your schoolwork and have more free time later. If you start a project before it's assigned, you're getting ahead.

The opposite of getting ahead is falling behind or treading water (staying in the same place).