What Does In Advance Mean?
To do something in advance means to complete a task, make a payment, or provide notice before a specific event, deadline, or time occurs. It is often used in professional and legal contexts to describe preparation or early settlement.
In modern usage, being able to handle tasks in advance is often seen as a sign that someone is truly on the ball, demonstrating alertness and proactive preparation.
Sentence Examples
“He always pays his rent in advance, so it’s strange that he would just up and leave.”
“You can’t just walk in and get a table. You have to make a reservation well in advance.”
“We only have a few boats, so if you need one, you’d better book it in advance.”
“The weather forecast looks bad, so we should probably buy our supplies well in advance of the storm.”
I’d like to thank you in advance for your help with this project; I know you’re busy.”
“The weather forecast looks bad, so we should probably buy our supplies well in advance of the storm.”
“You’ll need to pay for the materials in advance, but the labor costs can be settled once the job is finished.”
“The conductor stood in advance of the orchestra, waiting for the audience to settle into their seats.”
“They will arrive in San Francisco tonight. You must return to San Francisco in advance of my arrival.” — War (2007)
“They tell me you have to give me $50 a week.” “Yeah. In advance.” — Suspiria (1978)
Origin of “In Advance”
The English word advance has been used since the 14th century to mean “to promote, raise to a higher rank.” It began to be used in the 15th century to mean “move forward, move further in front.” (I.e., walking in advance of the king)
The idiom in advance arose during the 1700s to mean doing something beforehand, such as making proper preparations, booking (lodging, transportation, etc), or paying ahead of a deadline. It was most often used in formal written documents, especially about legal matters, such as in the examples below:
The defendant Golding disregarded the terms of the contract, however, and sought to obtain payment of the plaintiff in advance of the delivery of the merchandise. — A Sermon Preached Before the Queen at Windsor, Oct. 24, 1703
…he or she is hereby required, on the said tenth day of July one thousand seven hundred and ninety-nine, to pay down in advance, in ready money, to the proper officer appointed to receive the same, one moiety of the full sum payable under such license… — Statutes at Large, Magna Charta, Great Britain, 1761
The troops were always paid a month in advance, the magazines were well provided, the public treasures, of which he had the management, were dispensed with frugality and wisdom. — The Geography and History of England, 1761
Further Reading: Idioms About Preparation and Timing
Foresight and timing are central to many English idioms. If you want to expand your vocabulary beyond doing things “in advance,” explore these related phrases:
The Importance of Preparation
- On the Ball: How to describe someone who is alert, prepared, and proactive.
- Hit the Ground Running: What happens when your preparation allows you to start a project at full speed.
- Time is Money: The ultimate reason why preparing in advance is so valuable in professional settings.
When the Timing is Critical
- On Borrowed Time: A reminder of the risks involved when you haven’t prepared for the future.
- The Eleventh Hour: The opposite of acting in advance; doing something at the latest possible moment.
- High Time: When something is long overdue and should have been handled well in advance.
- The Time is Ripe: Recognizing the perfect moment to move forward with a plan.