outflew

outflew

The eagle outflew the smaller birds across the canyon.

Definition
  1. Verb (past tense of ):
    • To fly faster, farther, or higher than: "outflew" means to surpass someone or something in the act of flying, whether in speed, distance, or altitude.
    • To escape or flee swiftly: In older or literary usage, "outflew" can mean to flee or escape by flying or moving quickly away.
Usage Examples

  • To surpass in flight:

    • The eagle outflew the hawk, reaching the summit first. (The eagle flew faster and higher than the hawk.)
    • In the race, the jet outflew all other aircraft. (The jet flew faster than the others.)

  • To escape swiftly (archaic):

    • The thief outflew the guards, vanishing into the night. (The thief escaped by running or moving very quickly.)
Advanced Usage

  • "outflew one's own shadow": a poetic or figurative expression meaning to move so quickly that one seems to leave behind their own shadow, emphasizing extreme speed.

    • The mythical bird outflew its own shadow across the desert. (It moved with incredible speed.)

  • As a metaphor: "outflew" can be used to describe surpassing a competitor in any rapid, forward-moving endeavor, not just literal flight.

    • Her ambitions outflew her resources, and she struggled to keep up. (Her goals exceeded her available means.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Outfly (verb, base form): to fly faster, farther, or higher than.
    • The young pilot hopes to outfly his instructor one day. (To surpass in flying skill.)
  • Outflown (past participle): having been surpassed in flight.
    • The rival bird was outflown in the final stretch. (It was beaten in the race.)
  • Outflying (present participle): the act of flying beyond or surpassing.
    • The rocket is outflying all previous models. (It is exceeding earlier performance.)
Synonyms
  • Surpass in flight: to exceed in flying ability.
  • Outrace: to go faster than in a race.
  • Outstrip: to move ahead of or exceed in speed or progress.
Related Idioms (with "outfly" or similar concepts)
  • Fly in the face of: to act contrary to or defy. (Not directly related to "outflew" but shares the "fly" root.)
  • Fly the coop: to escape or leave quickly. (Similar to the archaic sense of "outflew".)
Phrasal Verbs (with "fly")
  • Fly away: to leave by flying.
    • The bird outflew the cat and flew away to safety. (It escaped by flying.)
  • Fly off: to depart suddenly.
    • He outflew his pursuers and flew off into the distance. (He escaped swiftly.)