outstripped expectations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "outstripped expectations" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where results or performance exceeded what was anticipated or predicted. Example: "The company's quarterly earnings outstripped expectations, leading to a surge in stock prices."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Financial stocks surged after JPMorgan Chase announced a third-quarter profit that outstripped expectations.

The New York Times

Demand for the book, which has not yet been reviewed, has already outstripped expectations.

The Guardian

They should also be impressed by the results of the surge, which, thus far, has outstripped expectations, including mine.

The New York Times

Sales in the US have outstripped expectations, where the 1m mark was reached only 28 days after the 2 April launch, compared with 74 days for the iPhone.

The Guardian - Tech

The Pirates so outstripped expectations that all 15 candidates on their list won seats — seats are doled out based in part on votes for a party rather than for an individual.

The New York Times

As a consequence, unit labour costs outstripped expectations, rising by 4.2%, at an annualised rate, in the second quarter, up from 2.5% in the previous quarter.American job growth was weaker than expected in July.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

I don't think it's claiming too much to say that the audience outstripped expectation.

The Guardian

"But the growth of the sport has far outstripped anyone's expectations, and the Barretos rodeo has become the pinnacle of a billion dollar a year business".

The New York Times

The violence outstripped even Edwards's expectations, and he and others in the Collective are trying to balance spiritual and pragmatic imperatives in the aftermath of the tragedy.

The New Yorker

Has supply outstripped demand?

The New York Times

Even before the downturn, demand outstripped supply.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "outstripped expectations" to convey a sense of significant overachievement, particularly when comparing actual results to initial forecasts or predictions.

Common error

Avoid using "outstripped expectations" in situations where a modest or marginal improvement occurred. This phrase is best reserved for cases where the results substantially exceeded what was anticipated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "outstripped expectations" functions as a verb phrase complemented by a noun, describing an action that exceeded a predicted outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, it signifies that results or performance surpassed what was anticipated.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "outstripped expectations" is a grammatically correct and commonly understood way to describe a situation where actual results significantly exceeded what was anticipated or predicted. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is best used when there's a notable overachievement and is suitable for professional and neutral contexts, particularly in news and business reporting. Alternatives include "exceeded expectations" and "surpassed expectations". Remember to reserve it for situations where the overachievement is substantial to maintain clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exceeded expectations

Replaces "outstripped" with "exceeded", a direct synonym, maintaining the same meaning.

surpassed expectations

Uses "surpassed" instead of "outstripped", indicating a similar level of exceeding what was predicted.

overcame expectations

Emphasizes overcoming a challenge or initial outlook, adding a layer of difficulty that was overcome.

went beyond expectations

Highlights the act of going further than anticipated, often implying a significant overachievement.

better than expected

A more straightforward way to say the results were positive, but slightly less forceful than "outstripped".

exceeded forecasts

Focuses on exceeding a specific forecast or prediction, rather than general expectations.

outperformed predictions

Highlights performance exceeding what was predicted, common in business or sports contexts.

defied expectations

Implies that the expectations were negative or doubtful, and the outcome was surprisingly positive.

beat expectations

An informal way to say expectations were exceeded, common in business and finance.

smashed expectations

A stronger, more emphatic version, indicating a very large overachievement.

FAQs

What does "outstripped expectations" mean?

The phrase "outstripped expectations" means that something has performed or resulted in a better way than what was initially predicted or anticipated. It signifies a significant overachievement.

How can I use "outstripped expectations" in a sentence?

You can use "outstripped expectations" to describe situations where results have far exceeded predictions. For example, "The company's profits for this quarter "outstripped expectations", leading to a significant increase in stock value."

What are some alternatives to "outstripped expectations"?

Alternatives to "outstripped expectations" include "exceeded expectations", "surpassed expectations", or "better than expected", depending on the context and the degree of overachievement.

Is it appropriate to use "outstripped expectations" in formal writing?

Yes, "outstripped expectations" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly in business, financial, or academic contexts, when you want to emphasize a considerable overachievement. It conveys a strong sense of exceeding anticipated outcomes.