ROGET THESAURUS
take time by the forelock
Earliness
VB
be early, be beforehand, keep time,
take time by the forelock, anticipate, forestall, have the start, gain the start, steal a march upon, gain time, draw on futurity, bespeak, secure, engage, preengage, accelerate, expedite, make haste.
Occasion
VB
seize an opportunity, use an opportunity &c, give an opportunity &c, use an occasion, improve the occasion, suit the occasion, seize the occasion, strike while the iron is hot, battre le fer sur l'enclume, make hay while the sun shines, seize the present hour,
take time by the forelock, prendre la balle au bond.