beforehand in the world

English

Alternative forms

• beforehand with the world

Adjective

beforehand in the world (not comparable)

1. (obsolete) In prosperous circumstances; comfortably-off. [17th–19th c.]
   • 1798, Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin, “[Maria: or, The] Wrongs of Woman”, in W[illiam] Godwin, editor, Posthumous Works of the Author of A Vindication of the Rights of Woman. […], volume II, London: […] J[oseph] Johnson, […]; and G[eorge,] G[eorge] and J[ohn] Robinson, […], →OCLC, chapter XIII, page 98:

     I almoſt ſtarved myſelf, till I once more got before-hand in the world.

   • 1811, [Jane Austen], chapter VI, in Sense and Sensibility […], volume I, London: […] C[harles] Roworth, […], and published by T[homas] Egerton, […], →OCLC, page 66:

     I shall see how much I am before-hand with the world in the spring […] .