overtake

Everyday

1. To overtake is to catch up with someone moving in the same direction and go past them. tree →
2. To overtake can mean to become bigger or better than someone. tree →
3. To overtake can mean to happen to someone suddenly, like a feeling. tree →

In the lessons

In road safety, cars overtake cyclists and must leave plenty of space; overtaking is dangerous on bends and hills. In races, a runner overtakes another. In stories, "fear overtook him". American English often says "pass".

Examples

• The runner overtook three others on the last lap. tree →
• Never overtake on a bend. tree →
• A car overtook our bus. tree →
• Sales of e-books may overtake paper books. tree →
• Sleep overtook the tired children. tree →
• The faster horse overtook the leader. tree →
• The Prince followed, but could not overtake her. tree →

Note

Irregular like "take": overtake, overtook, overtaken. Noun: overtaking. In maths speed problems, one overtakes the other when they have travelled the same distance from the same start.

In Jewish tradition

To catch up with someone, as the enemy hopes to do at the sea, or to come upon a person, as the blessings will if Israel obeys.

Interpretation. The blessings are read as following Israel and catching up with it as a reward for hearing God's voice.

Examples

• And all these blessings shall come upon thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God. (Torah DEU.28.2, JPS 1917) tree →
• The enemy said: 'I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.' (Torah EXO.15.9, JPS 1917) tree →
• Terrors overtake him like waters; a tempest stealeth him away in the night. (Writings JOB.27.20, JPS 1917) tree →
• Pour out Thine indignation upon them, and let the fierceness of Thine anger overtake them. (Writings PSA.69.25, JPS 1917) tree →
• Thy hand shall be equal to all thine enemies; thy right hand shall overtake those that hate thee. (Writings PSA.21.9, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Irregular like "take": overtake, overtook, overtaken. Noun: overtaking. In maths speed problems, one overtakes the other when they have travelled the same distance from the same start.