zuru verb, intransitive verb
precede; go before; forestall; anticipate
Formal or literary intransitive verb meaning to act before someone else, to get ahead of something, or to take preemptive action. Often used in the set phrase 先んずれば人を制す (forestall and you will control others).
先んずれば人を制すという言葉がある。
There is a saying: 'If you act first, you will control others.'
彼はいつも先んじて行動する。
He always acts preemptively.