edged out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "edged out" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation where someone or something narrowly defeats or surpasses another in a competition or comparison. Example: "In the final moments of the race, she edged out her opponent to claim the victory."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Heinous" edged out "despicable".

The New York Times - Tech

(It just edged out "music-intensive religious").

The New Yorker

2) Jon Huntsman Huntsman almost edged out Gingrich.

The New Yorker

Turkish soap operas have edged out Latin American ones in popularity.

The Economist

Rewards need sharpening, just as poor performers should be edged out more quickly.

The Economist

More recently, in the 1990s, China dominated before being edged out by Iran.

The Economist

St. Louis has been edged out by Datsyuk the past three seasons.

The New York Times

But he was edged out by German duo Kittel and Greipel.

BBC

Unless, of course, he finds himself isolated and edged out because his style doesn't fit.

BBC

Winner: Alexander Kristoff (Nor/Katusha) - Report: Sagan edged out as Kristoff wins first Tour stage.

BBC

Sandler just edged out fellow SNL alum Will Ferrell on our list.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "edged out", ensure the context clearly indicates a close competition or comparison. Use it to create a sense of drama or tension in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "edged out" when the victory or displacement is significant. This phrase implies a narrow margin, so a more decisive term would be more appropriate if the lead is substantial.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "edged out" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating a narrow victory or displacement. Ludwig AI confirms that it is typically used to describe situations where someone or something barely surpasses another.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Encyclopedias

6%

Science

28%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "edged out" signifies a narrow victory or slight displacement, confirmed by Ludwig AI as grammatically correct and widely used. With a neutral register and a very common occurrence, it's especially prevalent in news and media contexts. Related phrases like "narrowly defeated" and "squeezed past" offer similar meanings. When employing this phrase, ensure the context accurately reflects the minimal margin of victory to maintain clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

narrowly defeated

Indicates a close victory with a small margin.

squeezed past

Suggests a tight and difficult overtaking or victory.

barely surpassed

Highlights the minimal difference in achievement.

slightly exceeded

Emphasizes a small degree of outperformance.

eclipsed by a hair

Conveys an extremely close and almost negligible difference.

overcame by a whisker

Similar to 'eclipsed by a hair', indicating a very narrow win.

pipped at the post

An idiomatic expression for winning by the smallest margin at the last moment.

came out ahead

General phrase indicating that the person or object got better results or won.

gained a slight advantage over

Focuses on the small advantage achieved.

surpassed by a slim margin

Indicates surpassing with a small difference.

FAQs

How can I use "edged out" in a sentence?

You can use "edged out" to describe a situation where someone or something narrowly defeats another. For example, "The runner "edged out" his opponent in the final stretch".

What can I say instead of "edged out"?

You can use alternatives like "narrowly defeated", "squeezed past", or "barely surpassed" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "edged out" or "edged in"?

"Edged out" implies a narrow victory or displacement, while "edged in" suggests gradually moving something into a space. The correct phrase depends on the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "edged out" and "defeated"?

"Edged out" suggests a very close win, while "defeated" implies a more decisive loss. "Edged out" emphasizes the narrow margin of victory.