outdrew

A cowboy outdrew his opponent in a dusty western town.

Definition

1. Verb (past tense of ):
   • To draw a weapon faster than someone else: "outdrew" means to have pulled out a firearm or other weapon more quickly than an opponent, especially in a duel or confrontation.
   • To attract more attention or interest than someone else: "outdrew" can also mean to have drawn a larger audience, crowd, or level of interest compared to another person or thing.

Usage Examples

• Primary meaning (drawing a weapon):

  • The cowboy outdrew his rival in the showdown. (He pulled his gun faster than the other person.)
  • She outdrew the sheriff during the training exercise. (She was quicker to draw her weapon.)

• Secondary meaning (attracting attention):

  • The new museum exhibit outdrew the previous one by thousands of visitors. (It attracted more people.)
  • His speech outdrew all other events at the conference. (It generated more interest.)

Advanced Usage

• "to outdraw someone": to surpass another in speed of drawing a weapon or in attracting attention.

  • No one could outdraw him in the old Western films. (He was the fastest at drawing a gun.)

• "to be outdrawn": to be beaten in a draw or in attracting interest.

  • The smaller circus was outdrawn by the larger one. (The larger circus attracted more attendees.)

Variants and Related Words

• Outdraw (verb, present tense): to draw faster or attract more than.

  • He can outdraw anyone in the room. (He is the fastest at drawing a weapon.)

• Outdrawn (past participle): having been surpassed in drawing or attraction.

  • The champion has never been outdrawn in a duel. (He has never lost a fast-draw contest.)

Synonyms

• Outquicked: drew a weapon more swiftly (informal).
• Outpaced: moved faster than, especially in drawing.
• Outshone: attracted more attention or admiration.

Phrasal Verbs

• Draw out: to pull something out, often a weapon.

  • He drew out his pistol quickly. (He pulled the gun from its holster.)

• Draw in: to attract or entice.

  • The performer drew in a large crowd. (He attracted many people.)

Related Idioms

• Quick on the draw: able to draw a weapon very fast; also means quick to respond or react.

  • She was quick on the draw in the debate. (She responded rapidly and effectively.)

• Beat someone to the draw: to draw a weapon faster than someone else; also means to act before someone else.

  • He beat the outlaw to the draw and fired first. (He was quicker to pull his gun.)