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One step ahead meaning | English from movies
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Select a line to hear it again. Tap any word to see what it means. Underlined words are the key words of this video.
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Hana I the and .
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Theo . I haven't yet.
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Tutor and .
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Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides of the . Yes.
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Tutor and .
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Hopscotch I'll one of .
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Tutor , .
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Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors I you.
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Theo You're one of me, Hana.
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Hana Two . I ate .
Choose an answer for each question, then check it.
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Question 1
Your friend says, "The bus is late!" You already booked a taxi. Which line fits best?
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Question 2
What is the tone of "Right where I want you"?
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Question 3
Your manager asks, "Can you fix the report?" You started ten minutes ago. What do you say?
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Question 4
Which sentence is correct?
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Question 5
A coworker shares bad news and seems upset. Which line should you avoid?
Quick answer
3 ways to say you are one step ahead
To say you planned for something before it happened, use "Part of the plan" if you want to sound calm, or "I'll keep one step ahead of them" if you want to sound confident. If you want to tease someone who walked into your plan, use "Right where I want you." For everyday talk, "Way ahead of you," "I'm already on it," and "I saw that coming" also work well.
Key words in this video
Tap any word to see what it means. Underlined words are the key words of this video.
Each line explained
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Part of the plan. Tone: Calm and relaxed
Use it when something happens and it doesn't surprise you, because you expected it. It can sound a little smug, so don't use it when someone is upset about a real problem.
“Part of the plan. Yes.”
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I'll keep one step ahead of them. Tone: Confident and proud
Use it to promise that you will stay prepared before other people or problems catch up with you. Change "them" to fit the situation, for example "the competition" or "the deadline."
“I'll keep one step ahead of them.”
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Right where I want you. Tone: Bold, playful challenge
Say it when you control the game and the other person has just made the move you wanted. It works in games and friendly competition, but it can sound threatening in a serious argument.
“Right where I want you.”
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Way ahead of you. Tone: Friendly, a little proud
Use it when someone suggests something you have already done. It is casual, so keep it for friends and coworkers you know well, not for your boss's first request.
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I'm already on it. Tone: Helpful and calm
Use it when someone asks for something and you have started working on it. It sounds polite and professional, so it is safe at work.
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I saw that coming. Tone: Relaxed, knowing
Use it when something happens that you expected, even if other people were surprised. Be careful with bad news, because it can sound like "I told you so."
Common mistakes
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Not quite
You're always one step in front of me.Better You're always one step ahead of me.
"In front of" describes physical position. To talk about being better prepared or thinking earlier, English uses "one step ahead of."
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Not quite
I'll keep one step ahead them.Better I'll keep one step ahead of them.
"Ahead" needs "of" before the person or thing you are beating. Without "of," the sentence is not grammatical.
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Not quite
Right where I want.Better Right where I want you.
The line needs an object. "You" shows who is in the position you planned, so don't drop it.
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