ahead of time
Before the deadline
Ahead of time means before something is scheduled or expected to happen—earlier than necessary or required.
She finished the project ahead of time.
We arrived ahead of time to get good seats.
The phrase suggests preparation or efficiency, completing something with time to spare rather than at the last moment.
Occurring before expected
- promptIncite to action
- advanceMove or progress forward
- beforehandIn advance
- timelinessAppropriateness of timing
promptness · deadline · buffer · cushion · leeway · margin · head-start · premature
Belief about future outcomes
- foresightAbility to anticipate futures
- forecastPrediction of future conditions
- predictionForecast of coming events
- prospectPotential client or opportunity
forward-thinking · forward-looking · proactive · prescient · preventive · precautionary · vigilant · prudent
Plan of timed events
- preparationArranging things in advance
- forethoughtPlanning before acting
- organizationStructured group with purpose
- strategyPlanned approach to goals
blueprint · agenda · timetable · roadmap · logistics · coordination · arrangement · prioritization
early
Occurring before expected
- promptIncite to action
- advanceMove or progress forward
- beforehandIn advance
timeliness · promptness · deadline · buffer · cushion · leeway · margin · head-start · premature · anticipatory
expectation
Belief about future outcomes
- foresightAbility to anticipate futures
- forecastPrediction of future conditions
- predictionForecast of coming events
prospect · forward-thinking · forward-looking · proactive · prescient · preventive · precautionary · vigilant · prudent · preemption
schedule
Plan of timed events
- preparationArranging things in advance
- forethoughtPlanning before acting
- organizationStructured group with purpose
strategy · blueprint · agenda · timetable · roadmap · logistics · coordination · arrangement · prioritization · scheduling
ready
Suitable for use now
provisioned · stocked · organized · geared · prepped · staged · set-up · forewarned · briefed · positioned
- time expressionsnow, today, soon, tomorrow, later
- time sayingscarpe diem, seize the day, better late than never, tempus fugit, haste makes waste
ahead of timelate
Not on time
behind schedule · overdue · after the fact · tardily · belatedly
ahead of timeat the last minute
last-minute · just in time · impromptu · unprepared · on the fly