in advance

in advance

[of something given, paid, or provided] before it is due. •

The bill isn't due for a month, but I paid it in advance.

•

I want my pay in advance.

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or[in advance of] {adv. phr.} 1. In front; ahead (of the others); first. * /In the parade, the band will march in advance of the football team./ * /The soldiers rode out of the fort with the scouts in advance./ 2. Before doing or getting something. * /The motel man told Mr. Williams he would have to pay in advance./ * /The paperhanger mixed his paste quite a while in advance so it would have time to cool./ * /It will be easier to decorate the snack bar if we cut the streamers in advance of the actual decorating./