1.
to get ahead of someone; to beat someone to it; to forestall
To do something before someone else can, gaining an advantage. Often used when someone acts first in a competitive or time-sensitive situation.
先を越されてしまった。
Someone beat me to it.
The passive form 先を越される is very common.
ライバルに先を越されないように急いだ。
I hurried so that my rival wouldn't get ahead of me.
同僚に先を越されて昇進できなかったのが悔しい。
It's frustrating that I couldn't get promoted because a colleague got ahead of me.
USAGE:
Very frequently used in the passive form 先を越される, expressing frustration or surprise that someone else acted first. Common in business, competition, and everyday situations where timing matters.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 先を越される (to be beaten to it — passive)
- ライバルに先を越す (to get ahead of a rival)
- 先を越されないように (so as not to be beaten to it)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 出し抜く: to outwit, to steal a march on — implies cunning or trickery
- 先手を打つ: to make the first move — a strategic preemptive action