Definition

Noun 1. The act of passing another moving vehicle to get in front of it: The action of moving past and ahead of a vehicle or object that is traveling in the same direction. * Example: Overtaking on a blind corner is extremely dangerous. 2. The instance or event of passing another vehicle: A specific occurrence of one vehicle moving past another. * Example: The race was decided by a brilliant overtaking maneuver on the final lap.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The highway has a dedicated lane for safe overtaking.
  • The driver was fined for an illegal overtaking.
  • His reckless overtaking caused a three-car collision.

Advanced Usage

• "to execute/make an overtaking": A formal way to describe performing the act of passing another vehicle, often used in motorsport or formal driving contexts.
  • The driver executed a perfect overtaking move under braking.
• "overtaking is prohibited": A standard phrase used on road signs to indicate that passing other vehicles is not allowed in that area.
  • The sign clearly stated "No Overtaking" for the next two miles.

Variants and Related Words

• Overtake (verb): To catch up with and pass while traveling in the same direction.
  • It took several laps for the faster car to overtake the leader.
• Passing (noun, US English): The American English equivalent for "overtaking" in the context of driving.
  • Reckless passing is a major cause of accidents.

Synonyms

• Passing: Moving past something, especially another vehicle.
• Outstripping: Surpassing or getting ahead of someone or something in motion.

Related Phrasal Verbs / Phrases

• Pull out to overtake: To move your vehicle into another lane (often the oncoming lane) in order to pass.
  • He checked his mirrors and pulled out to overtake the slow truck.
• Cut in after overtaking: To return to your original lane too closely in front of the vehicle you have just passed.
  • The aggressive driver cut in after overtaking, forcing me to brake hard.

Related Idioms

• "Overtaking on the inside/outside": In racing or driving, refers to passing a competitor on the left/right side (depending on the country's driving direction). Also known as "undertaking" (inside) which is often illegal on public roads.
  • The daring overtaking on the outside of turn three won him the race.

Noun

1. going by something that is moving in order to get in front of it
   • she drove but well but her reckless passing of every car on the road frightened me