outdid

outdid

She outdid her previous record in the long jump.

Definition

Verb (past tense of outdo) - To surpass or exceed in performance or achievement: "outdid" means to have done something better than someone else, or to have exceeded a previous level of one's own performance. - To outshine or excel: To have been more successful, skilled, or impressive in a particular action or task.

Usage Examples
  • (She performed better than everyone else.)
  • (He achieved a level of skill higher than his usual standard.)
  • (He surpassed his own earlier achievements.)
Advanced Usage
  • "to outdo oneself": to perform at a level significantly higher than one's typical or past performance, often implying great effort or exceptional skill.

    • The singer outdid herself during the final concert, receiving a standing ovation. (She performed better than she ever had before.)
  • "to be outdone": to be surpassed or exceeded by someone else.

    • He refused to be outdone by his younger brother. (He would not accept being less successful than his brother.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Outdo (verb, base form): to do better than; to surpass.

    • She always tries to outdo her classmates. (She attempts to perform better than them.)
  • Outdone (past participle): having been surpassed or excelled.

    • He felt outdone by his rival's achievements. (He felt that his rival had exceeded him.)
  • Outdoing (present participle): the act of surpassing.

    • Outdoing others is not always the goal. (Surpassing others is not always important.)
Synonyms
  • Surpassed: went beyond in performance or quality.
  • Excelled: did exceptionally well; was superior.
  • Outshone: was more impressive or brilliant than.
  • Outstripped: exceeded or overtook in a race or competition.
Phrasal Verbs
  • None directly associated with "outdid" as a single word. However, "outdo" can be used in phrases like:
    • "outdo in": to surpass in a specific area.
      • He outdid her in mathematics. (He performed better than her in mathematics.)
Related Idioms
  • "Outdo oneself": to make a greater effort than usual; to achieve a personal best.

    • She outdid herself with this year's garden. (She made her garden more beautiful than ever before.)
  • "Not to be outdone": used to describe someone who refuses to be surpassed or who responds with an equal or greater effort.

    • Not to be outdone, he also donated a large sum to the charity. (Refusing to be less generous, he matched the others' donations.)