head start

head start  {n.}
1. A beginning before someone; lead or advantage at the beginning.
The other racers knew they couldn't catch Don if he got too big a head start.
Joe has a head start. He began to study earlier than we did.
2. A good beginning.
Let's get a head start in painting the house by getting up early.
The teacher gave the class a head start on the exercise by telling them the answers to the first two problems.
Compare: RUNNING START.
Categories: noun study