outrun
/aut'rʌn/
Definition
- Verb:
- To run faster than someone or something; to surpass in running speed: The primary meaning refers to physically running at a greater speed than another.
- To exceed or surpass in a more general sense; to go beyond limits: Used figuratively to describe exceeding expectations, limits, or capacities.
Examples of Usage
Verb (Literal - running faster):
- The cheetah can easily outrun most land animals.
- In the marathon's final stretch, she managed to outrun her closest competitor.
Verb (Figurative - exceeding limits):
- The company's expenses are starting to outrun its revenue.
- His fears about the project's failure outran the actual risks.
Advanced Usage
"to outrun one's problems": To try to escape from difficulties, often temporarily or physically.
- He thought moving to a new city would let him outrun his problems, but they followed him.
"to outrun the facts": For theories, speculation, or imagination to go beyond what is currently known or proven.
- The journalist's exciting narrative unfortunately outran the facts of the case.
Variants and Related Words
Outran: The simple past tense of "outrun."
- Yesterday, the underdog outran the champion.
Outrun (noun, rare): Can refer to an act or instance of outrunning, though this is less common.
- The final outrun secured her the gold medal.
Synonyms
- Outstrip: To move faster than and overtake; to exceed.
- Outpace: To go, rise, or improve faster than someone or something else.
- Surpass: To exceed, be greater than, or go beyond.
Related Phrasal Verbs/Constructions
(Note: "Outrun" itself is not typically used in phrasal verb constructions. It is a single verb where "out-" is a prefix meaning "better" or "more than.")
Related Idioms
- "To outrun the constable" (archaic/British): To spend more money than one has; to get into debt.
- He's been outrunning the constable with all these luxury purchases.
Verb
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run faster than
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in this race, I managed to outran everybody else
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