head start

or headstart

noun

1. an advantage given or acquired in any competition, endeavor, etc., as allowing one or more competitors in a race to start before the others.

head start

noun

1. an initial advantage in a competitive situation

Word History and Origins

Origin of head start¹

First recorded in 1885–90

Word History and Origins

Origin of head start¹

originally referring to a horse's having its head in front of others at the start of a race

Idioms and Phrases

An early start that confers an advantage, as in This year we'll get a head start on the competition by running more ads . The expression comes from racing, where it was used for a horse being given an advantage of several lengths over the others. Its extension to other areas dates from the early 1900s.

Example Sentences

New Zealand flanker Dalton Papali'i had just picked off his pass and cantered in to give New Zealand a seven-point head start.

From BBC

Gogol’s classes sold out quickly in Los Angeles this year so go ahead and book early to give your gift recipient a head start on growing their own in 2025.

From Los Angeles Times

“Innovation is not easy. It’s really hard. Now we have a seven-year head start on everybody else, but it’s messy,” Hull said.

From Los Angeles Times

Actual high school student Rogen got a head start while still on set: “I told them I was doing correspondence school from Canada and just wrote ‘Superbad’ all day.”

From Los Angeles Times

Incumbent backup Easton Stick had a head start on the scheme by playing in all three preseason games, but Heinicke caught up by burying his head in the playbook for three weeks.

From Los Angeles Times