overtake Hear it!

overtake Definition

over·take (ō′vər tāk′)

transitive verb -·took′, -·tak′en, -·tak′·ing

  1. to catch up with and, often, go beyond
  2. to come upon unexpectedly or suddenly a sudden storm overtook us

overtake Synonyms

overtake

v.

overhaul, catch up with, get to, pass; see catch 3, reach 1.

overtake Usage Examples

Object

  • maneuver: I sometimes find I only just get away with overtaking maneuvers.
  • cyclist: When overtaking a cyclist give them plenty of room.
  • lorry: Got my first speeding ticket on this - doing 45mph overtaking a dustbin lorry on a dual carriageway in Cleveleys.
  • Tory: But when I believe that we're overtaking the Tories, I'll tell you.
  • tortoise: Consequently, Achilles may run indefinitely without overtaking the tortoise.
  • lane: I have seen the hard shoulder used as an overtaking lane.

Preposition: on

  • bend: They buzz round you and overtake on blind bends and hassle you and toot their puny horns.
  • inside: Actually, the planet is moving forward, but the Earth is overtaking on the inside.
  • left: Drive on the right and overtake on the left.

Subject

  • storm: On a hunting trip in the Maine woods, they are overtaken by a vicious storm in which something much more ominous moves.
  • event: This original reason has been overtaken by events by most recent information.

Modifying Another Word

  • soon: However, Martin was soon overtaken by Aussie Superbike newcomer Cameron Donald.
  • rapidly: Judge their surprise when they saw their friend rapidly overtaking and passing on before them.
  • safely: The terrain remained hard, fast and slippery with precious few places to safely overtake on the curving layout.
  • eventually: I eventually overtook two into front to be overtaken by a wee guy pushing big gears.
  • gradually: Wales now gradually overtaking the other British teams... scores = England 24.5, Scotland 23.5, Wales 22.5, Ireland 21.5.
  • slowly: Local government is slowly overtaking European elections in the battle to provide the most alarming statistics.

Used with why or when

when: Most drivers ' speed to overtake and a significant number admit to having overtaken when they couldn't see ahead.

Preposition: by

  • storm: On a hunting trip in the Maine woods, they are overtaken by a vicious storm in which something much more ominous moves.
  • event: This original reason has been overtaken by events by most recent information.