outdo
/aut'du:/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb (transitive):
- To surpass in performance or achievement: To do something better than someone else or than a previous standard.
- To exceed in amount or degree: To go beyond a certain limit or expectation.
Usage and Examples
General Usage: The verb "outdo" is used to describe the act of performing better than another person, group, or one's own past performance. It often implies a sense of competition or comparison.
- She always tries to outdo her colleagues in sales.
- This year's festival aimed to outdo last year's event in every way.
With a Direct Object: "Outdo" typically requires a direct object (the person or thing being surpassed).
- The new model outdoes the old one in fuel efficiency.
- He was determined to outdo his previous record.
Advanced Usage and Nuances
- "to outdo oneself": To perform or achieve at a level higher than one has ever done before; to make an extraordinary effort.
- The chef really outdid herself with the wedding cake; it was magnificent.
- For the charity gala, the organizers outdid themselves to create an unforgettable evening.
Variants and Related Words
- Outdid: Simple past tense of "outdo".
- They outdid all their rivals in the final round.
- Outdone: Past participle of "outdo".
- He has never been outdone in a game of chess.
- Outdoing: Present participle/gerund of "outdo".
- She is constantly outdoing everyone in the department.
Synonyms
- Surpass: To go beyond in amount, quality, or degree.
- Exceed: To be greater than a number or amount; to go beyond the limits of.
- Outperform: To perform better than.
- Top: To be higher than; to surpass.
- Beat: To defeat or do better than.
Antonyms
- Lag behind: To fail to keep pace with others.
- Fall short: To fail to reach a standard or target.
- Underperform: To perform less well than expected.
Idiomatic Expressions
- "Outdo someone at their own game": To defeat or surpass someone using their own methods or in their area of expertise.
- The young entrepreneur managed to outdo the established company at its own game.
- "Hard to outdo": Very difficult to surpass or beat.
- His generosity is hard to outdo.
Verb
- get the better of
- the goal was to best the competition
- be or do something to a greater degree
- her performance surpasses that of any other student I know
- She outdoes all other athletes
- This exceeds all my expectations
- This car outperforms all others in its class