run ahead

To move or develop further or faster than others, or beyond an expected limit.

• Our costs have run ahead of sales.
• Technology often runs ahead of public understanding.
• The strongest pupils ran ahead of the rest.

How to use it: run ahead of someone/something (Costs are running ahead of our budget.)

Similar words: outpace, outstrip

Opposites: lag behind

Common phrases: run ahead of someone, run ahead of expectations

For a train to pass another train using an extra track beside the main track.

• The express can run ahead here.
• Our train ran ahead of the slower train at a siding.
• The signal allows trains to run ahead using the side track.

How to use it: run ahead of another train (The express ran ahead of the goods train at the siding.)

Similar words: overtake

Common phrases: run ahead at sidings, run ahead of trains

To carry out computer instructions early because their results may be needed soon.

• The processor can run ahead.
• The system ran ahead to prepare the likely results.
• Running ahead helps the processor avoid waiting for data.

Similar words: execute speculatively

Common phrases: run ahead during execution, run ahead speculatively