outpace the competition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "outpace the competition" is an acceptable and correct phrase in written English.
You can use it to talk about a company, individual or something else that is excelling more than others in the same field and surpassing them. For example: "With their new product launch and innovative marketing strategy, the company was able to outpace the competition and increase their market share."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Concept 2 Bakers in Minneapolis is expanding its line of parbaked organic breads, Panné Provincio, and trying to outpace the competition with innovations like bâtards flavored with black beans and salsa.

The New York Times - Food

As a result, storefronts can restock on a predictive basis and outpace the competition.

Forbes

Insights-driven businesses, designed for continuous measurement and optimization, will outpace the competition.

Forbes

This means that MCI WorldCom's return on investment, already on top of the industry, should continue to outpace the competition in the future.

Forbes

Those companies that recognize and embrace this ability to act on data as it arrives are clearly going to outpace the competition.

Forbes

Today they are recognized in virtually every corner of the world but how Walmart was able to grow and outpace the competition is a rather fascinating story.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The growth in sales of Apple's smartphones no longer outpaces the competition.

The Economist

LOS ANGELES — Batman fever continued over the weekend, with ticket sales for "The Dark Knight" far outpacing the competition and breaking a fresh batch of box-office records.

The New York Times

But Amazon's stock growth has outpaced the competition: Alphabet's stock has risen 15percentthis yearar, while shares of Apple and Microsoft are up about 30percentt.

The Washington Post

InfoScout's data showed the latest instalment in the CoD franchise easily outpacing the competition (though didn't give specific numbers) whilst the UK's all-platform top 10 also put Ghosts in the number one spot.

Independent

The breads, cakes and pastries that it inherited upon acquiring Bestfoods for $20.3 billion last June have consistently outpaced the competition, benefiting from a tightly woven distribution system that is unmatched in the field.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In scientific contexts, use "outpace the competition" to describe advancements in research and development that surpass other efforts in the field.

Common error

Avoid using "outpace the competition" when describing personal growth or self-improvement. The phrase is specifically suited to scenarios involving direct rivalry or market competition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "outpace the competition" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the act of surpassing or exceeding rivals. Ludwig highlights that it correctly describes excelling beyond others in a specific field.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

37%

Science

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "outpace the competition" is a grammatically correct and relatively common phrase used to describe surpassing rivals in a competitive setting. Ludwig confirms its validity. It's frequently found in news and business contexts, denoting superior performance and innovative strategies. To avoid misuse, it should be restricted to scenarios involving genuine competition, as it's not suitable for describing personal growth. Consider alternatives like "surpass the competition" or "exceed the competition" for nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Surpass the competition

Emphasizes exceeding the competition, focusing on achievement beyond the rival's level.

Exceed the competition

Highlights going beyond the limits or expectations set by the competition.

Outstrip the competition

Suggests surpassing the competition, focusing on leaving them behind in terms of progress or achievement.

Outperform the competition

Focuses on achieving better results or a higher level of performance than the competition.

Get ahead of the competition

Implies gaining an advantage over the competition, concentrating on the initial movement forward.

Gain an edge over the competition

Emphasizes acquiring a distinct advantage that positions one favorably against the competition.

Dominate the competition

Suggests a position of power and control over the competition, indicating a superior standing.

Leave the competition in the dust

Idiomatic expression signifying overwhelming success compared to the competition, emphasizing a significant gap.

Blow away the competition

Implies an easy and impressive victory over the competition, highlighting the ease of success.

Trounce the competition

Indicates a decisive and complete victory over the competition, emphasizing the thoroughness of the win.

FAQs

What does "outpace the competition" mean?

The phrase "outpace the competition" means to surpass or exceed rivals in a competitive environment, achieving greater success or progress.

How can I use "outpace the competition" in a sentence?

You can use "outpace the competition" to describe a company, individual, or strategy that is more successful than its rivals. For example: "Their innovative marketing campaign helped them "outpace the competition" and increase market share."

What are some alternatives to "outpace the competition"?

Alternatives to "outpace the competition" include "surpass the competition", "exceed the competition", or "outperform the competition".

What is the difference between "outpace the competition" and "beat the competition"?

"Outpace the competition" implies a sustained and increasing lead, while "beat the competition" suggests a single victory or triumph. The former focuses on continuous progress, while the latter emphasizes a specific win.