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.