outdid

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "outdid" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing someone's performance or achievements to another's, indicating that one has surpassed the other. Example: "In the final match, she outdid her previous record and won the championship."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The size and scope of Oink's catalogue outdid any online music purveyor, and given its distributed nature, the archive was essentially indestructible.

The Guardian - Books

Further around the coast, Cane Garden Bay rivals the shack for nightlife and is billed as the island's finest beach, although with Cane Garden's jet skis, tourists and karaoke, Long Bay far outdid it for me.

The Guardian - Travel

Chart 2 shows, for instance, by how much equities outdid oil between 1985 and 2007.

The Economist

The psychology of Wevill, who eventually outdid Plath in killing the four-year-old daughter she had with Hughes as well as herself, remains comparatively uncharted territory.

The Economist

This week the European Union outdid even the futuristic Americans, announcing the creation of a virtual army, which exists mainly in the minds of enthusiastic politicians.After the Kosovo conflict had yet again illustrated Europe's military reliance on America, the EU set itself a goal: to be able to deploy, by 2003, up to 60,000 troops, within 60 days, and sustain them in action for up to a year.

The Economist

Mr Bush outdid previous Republican presidents in recruiting his personnel from the conservative counter-establishment.

The Economist

In fact, a couple of the American judges had appended "concurring" comments in which they slightly outdid their colleagues in their support for religious bodies' autonomy.

The Economist

Four years ago, the American presidential election outdid itself in terms of spectacle.

The Economist

Democrats outdid Republicans in 2012 thanks partly to the professionalism of American Bridge 21st Century ("Bridge"), which was set up in 2010 and is backed by George Soros, a financier, and others.

The Economist

Quite fine detail is possible with the pen, though the handwriting recognition leaves much to be desired.Asus, a Taiwanese firm with a track record of inventing funny-shaped gadgets, outdid itself with the Padfone, an ingenious product that allows a pocket-sized smartphone to turn in a fully-fledged tablet.

The Economist

Typically, President Jacob Zuma outdid him in his criticism of nobody in particular (and certainly not the unions): "We should demand better salaries and working conditions, but we may not wreck the economy".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "outdid" when you want to emphasize that someone or something has performed better than another in a specific area or achievement. It provides a direct comparison, highlighting the superior performance.

Common error

Avoid using "outdid" when there is no clear comparison being made. "Outdid" implies a direct surpassing of something else, so ensure that the context provides a basis for comparison to maintain clarity and accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "outdid" is as the simple past tense of the verb "outdo". It's used to describe an action of surpassing or exceeding someone or something else in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Science

2%

Academia

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "outdid" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb to express surpassing or exceeding expectations or performance. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is widely applicable across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media and encyclopedic entries. When using "outdid", ensure that there is a clear comparative element in the sentence to accurately convey the intended meaning. Remember, you can substitute "outdid" with synonyms like "surpassed", "exceeded", or "excelled" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

surpassed

Indicates exceeding a limit or boundary; a more general term for exceeding.

exceeded

Implies going beyond a set limit or standard; similar to surpassing but often quantitative.

excelled

Denotes performing exceptionally well; focuses on the quality of the performance.

outstripped

Suggests moving faster or progressing more quickly than another; often used in competitive contexts.

eclipsed

Implies overshadowing or diminishing the importance of something else.

bettered

Indicates improving upon a previous performance or achievement.

trumped

Suggests surpassing in a decisive or conclusive way, often in a competitive situation.

outclassed

Implies being superior in skill or quality.

left behind

Indicates progressing far beyond someone or something else, leaving them behind.

ran circles around

An informal way of saying someone performed much better than another.

FAQs

How can I use "outdid" in a sentence?

You can use "outdid" to show that someone or something performed better than another. For example, "The company's profits this quarter "outdid" all previous records".

What are some synonyms for "outdid"?

Some synonyms for "outdid" include "surpassed", "exceeded", and "excelled". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "outdid myself"?

Yes, it is correct to say "outdid myself". It means you performed better than you have in the past. For instance, "I "outdid" myself on that project" indicates that your performance was exceptional compared to your usual work.

What is the difference between "outdid" and "did better than"?

"Outdid" is a more concise and emphatic way of saying "did better than". Both phrases indicate superior performance, but "outdid" carries a stronger sense of surpassing a previous benchmark or competitor. For example, "She "outdid" her opponent in the race" versus "She did better than her opponent in the race".