overtake

6 definitions • 9 examples

to go past something by being a greater amount or degree:

Our US sales have now overtaken our sales in Europe.

We'd planned to hold a meeting tomorrow, but events have overtaken us (= things have changed).

to come from behind another vehicle or a person and move in front of them:

Always check your rear view mirror before you overtake (another car).

to happen to a person or a place suddenly and unexpectedly:

The family was overtaken by tragedy several years ago, and they still haven't recovered.

to go beyond something by being a greater amount or degree, or to come from behind and move in front of:

In the 1500-meter race, he finished with a late rush to overtake Barbosa in 1 minute, 44.84 seconds.

The Bruins got within three points late in the game but just couldn’t overtake the Cowboys.

(esp. of unpleasant emotions or events) to happen suddenly and unexpectedly:

The family was overtaken by tragedy several years ago.

to grow, develop, or progress more quickly than something else:

Our US sales have now overtaken our sales in Europe.

Plastic soon overtook cash as Britain's most popular method of payment.