outrun

/ˌaʊtˈrʌn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌaʊtˈrʌn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌau̇t-ˈrən/ (ame, mw)

outrun — verb

  • outrunpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • outrunshe / she / it
  • outranpast simple
  • outrunning-ing form

1. to go ahead of a person, animal, or thing because you are moving faster and can

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

to go ahead of a person, animal, or thing because you are moving faster and can stay in front.

例句

Mia outran her brother on the last hill.

pattern: outrun + person

The small boat outran the storm and reached the harbor.

inanimate subject: outrun a storm

同義詞
  • outpace

    slightly broader, because it is also very common for progress or growth

  • overtake

    focuses on catching up and passing, not necessarily keeping a clear lead

  • leave behind

    more general and less exact about speed

反義詞

文法句型

outrun + person/animal

outrun + vehicle/danger

用法筆記

Usually takes a person, animal, vehicle, or danger as its object. Distinguish from sense 2, where both subject and object are more often abstract things such as prices, demand, or technology.

常見錯誤

❌Mia outran from her brother.
✅Mia outran her brother.
💡'outrun' takes a direct object, not 'from'.
❌The bus outran to the rain.
✅The bus outran the rain.
💡put the thing you moved ahead of directly after the verb.

2. to grow, spread, or change so fast that another thing cannot keep up with it.

2.動詞及物C1
釋義

to grow, spread, or change so fast that another thing cannot keep up with it.

例句

By noon, orders at Mei's bakery had outrun the staff's packing speed.

figurative: orders outrun staff capacity

At Rosa's cafe, milk prices are outrunning her weekly earnings.

figurative: prices outrun earnings

同義詞
  • outpace

    the closest everyday choice for growth, progress, or change

  • surpass

    broader and less tied to the idea of faster development

  • overtake

    often used when one figure catches up with and then passes another

反義詞
  • trail

    to remain behind another figure or trend

  • fall behind

    to fail to keep up with growth or change

文法句型

outrun + demand/supply

outrun + prices/growth/change

用法筆記

Common with abstract subjects and objects such as prices, demand, costs, technology, or population. Distinguish from sense 1, where the comparison is about physical movement and staying ahead in space.

常見錯誤

❌Prices outran than wages this year.
✅Prices outran wages this year.
💡do not use 'than' after 'outrun'.
❌Technology outran of the law.
✅Technology outran the law.
💡'outrun' takes a direct object in this sense too.