out-distance

The runner out-distances his competitors in the final stretch.

Definition

1. Verb (transitive):
   • To surpass or leave behind in a race or competition: "out-distance" means to go farther or faster than someone else, especially in a race, to the point of leaving them behind.
   • To exceed or outperform significantly: In a broader sense, it can mean to be clearly better than others in any competitive context, such as business, academics, or skill.

Usage Examples

• In a race:

  • The Kenyan runner out-distanced all his competitors by the halfway point. (He ran much faster and left them far behind.)

• In competition:

  • The company has out-distanced its rivals in the technology market. (It has become significantly more successful than its competitors.)

• In a figurative sense:

  • Her intelligence out-distances that of most students in her class. (She is much smarter than the others.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be out-distanced": to be left far behind in a race or competition.

  • The slow car was quickly out-distanced by the faster vehicles. (It fell far behind and could not catch up.)

• "to out-distance oneself": to exceed one's own previous performance or expectations.

  • The athlete out-distanced his own personal best in the marathon. (He achieved a better time than he ever had before.)

Variants and Related Words

• Outdistance (verb): a less common variant of "out-distance" with the same meaning.

  • He outdistanced the field in the final lap. (He left all other runners behind.)

• Distance (noun): the amount of space between two points.

  • The distance between the two towns is 10 miles. (The physical separation is 10 miles.)

Synonyms

• Leave behind: to move ahead of someone so they cannot keep up.

  • The fast horse left the others behind. (It outdistanced them.)

• Outrun: to run faster than someone or something.

  • She can outrun most of her classmates. (She runs faster than them.)

• Surpass: to be better than someone or something.

  • His performance surpassed all expectations. (It exceeded what was expected.)

Phrasal Verbs

• Out-distance (someone): used as a transitive phrasal verb meaning to leave someone behind.
  • The leading cyclist out-distanced the pack early on. (He left the group of riders far behind.)

Related Idioms

• Leave in the dust: to defeat or surpass someone completely, often in a race or competition.

  • The new product left the old one in the dust. (It was far superior and sold much better.)

• Put distance between: to create a gap or separation, often in a competitive sense.

  • The company put distance between itself and its competitors. (It became much more successful than them.)