Question

what is meant by "He stole a march on his fellow-officers?"

Answer 1

The phrase steal a march means gain an advantage or gain an upper hand over one’s competitors. So, the sentence “He stole a march on his fellow-officers” means he had an advantage over his fellow officers that made him ahead of them.

The phrase is known to have been in use from as early as the 18th century and is believed to have first occurred in the London Gazette in 1716.

Answer 2

When you steal a march on someone, you accomplish something before the other individual and thus you gain the favorable position. All the time, you contender isn't even mindful of what you are up to. You achieve your assignment furtively, without being taken note.  

> The articulation originates from the universe of medieval fighting. I comprehend that the word March allude to the separation that a military could cover in a solitary day.