The phrasal verb "went ahead of" means to move forward or to be in front of someone or something. In IPA phonetic transcription, the word "went" would be transcribed as /wɛnt/ with the "e" sound being pronounced like "eh". "Ahead" can be transcribed as /əˈhɛd/ with the "a" sound being pronounced like "uh", followed by "hɛd" which is pronounced like "hed". When combining these two words to form "went ahead of", the stress falls on the second syllable of "ahead".
The phrase "went ahead of" refers to the act of progressing or moving forward in relation to someone or something else. It suggests that the subject is positioning themselves in a more advanced position or taking the lead. The phrase can be used both literally and figuratively, depending on the context.
In a literal sense, "went ahead of" describes physically moving forward in a physical space or direction comparative to others. For example, in a hiking expedition, if one person "went ahead of" the rest of the group, it means they moved forward along the trail faster or reached a certain point before the others.
In a figurative sense, "went ahead of" indicates having an advantage in terms of progress, achievements, or accomplishments. It implies that someone has surpassed or overcome obstacles and is now in a more advanced state or position compared to others. For instance, in a competition, if an individual "went ahead of" their opponents, it means they have achieved a higher score, better performance, or superior position.
Overall, "went ahead of" suggests an advancement or progression either physically or metaphorically, allowing for a clear distinction between one's position and others.