“To take the initiative” in Japanese
Short answer
To take the initiative in Japanese is “先を越す” (sakiwokosu). Full meaning: to take the initiative, to forestall, to beat to the punch.
Other ways to say “To take the initiative” in Japanese
先手を取る
sentewotoru to take the initiative
先に立つ
sakinitatsu to lead, to take the initiative; to take precedence (e.g. sadness taking precedence over anger); to be most essential
主になる
shuninaru to take the lead (in doing), to take the initiative, to be the leader
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