outrun

Everyday

1. To run faster or further than someone, so you get away or win. tree →
2. To grow or go beyond something: «Our spending outran our money». tree →

In the lessons

In stories and nature lessons: a gazelle can outrun a lion over a long distance; a cheetah is fastest but only for a short sprint. In safety: you cannot outrun a wave or a fire, so get out of the way early. In sport: «outrun the defenders».

Examples

• The rabbit outran the fox and escaped. tree →
• Can you outrun your big brother? tree →
• A cheetah can outrun any other land animal over a short distance. tree →
• You can't outrun a tsunami, so go to high ground at once. tree →
• She outran all the defenders and scored. tree →
• The gingerbread man thought he could outrun everyone. tree →
• “He can outrun the wind,” cried Fionn. tree →

Note

Irregular like «run»: outrun, outran, outrun. Double «n» in «outrunning». «Out-» means «more or better than»: outrun, outgrow, outswim, outsmart.