force the pace

force the pace

To dictate how fast someone or something moves; to set the pace. They're the best team in the league, so we need to force the pace of the game if we want to have any chance of beating them.
See also: force, pace
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

force the pace

adopt a fast pace in a race in order to tire out your opponents quickly.
See also: force, pace
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

force the ˈpace

(especially British English) make somebody do something more quickly or make something happen more quickly: The government is forcing the pace on economic reforms and the public don’t like it.
If you force the pace in a race, you force the other runners to run as fast as you because you want them to get tired.
See also: force, pace
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • lag behind
  • keep pace
  • lag
  • lagging
  • can't stand the pace
  • snail's pace
  • be in full swing
  • buzz along
  • abreast
  • abreast of
References in periodicals archive
The Test match between England and Australia ended in a draw as neither team was able to force the pace on day four, allowing Australia to retain the Ashes.
The Astana talks have run parallel to negotiations taking place in Geneva with the backing of the United Nations, and the congress plan appears to be Moscow's attempt to force the pace in a bid for a political settlement.
On the subject of the Somerset game, I was really pleased with the way we applied ourselves and how we tried to force the pace, despite losing the best part of two days to the rain.
Stars Over The Sea is a keen-goer and is likely to force the pace today under Dylan Robinson.
With Campbell doing the running, Mclnnis is able to take his position in the front left, cut off just about anything with his reach and force the pace.
In a quiet second half, Barwell tried to force the pace and were just beginning to get on top when Pattison scored his second of the match, following a bad decision made by Castle.
Sedgley Park continued to force the pace and a clever kick ahead by Collins saw Riley win the race to touch down for his second try of the game, Collins kicking the extras to make it 21-20.
A strong ride from Luke Wilkinson saw him force the pace all race long, before the final straight saw Newton Aycliffe-based rider Neil Ross claim fifth place and claim his category three race licence.
They will do well not to try to force the pace, as they did against the Dragons at the Millennium stadium, but there should be tries in the team and it could pay to look for a decent-priced tryscorer.
PABLO Zabaleta is confident Manchester City can force the pace in their eagerly-anticipated Champions League clash against Barcelona.
He helped to force the pace for Pat Smullen from an early stage and kept on doggedly under pressure in the straight to hold off the late charge of Jamesie.
"You have to force the pace a bit more and show more determination to score a goal, and we couldn't.
France's Sylvain Chavanel (QuickStep) avoided trouble to surge to a solo victory and seize the race leader's yellow jersey from Fabian Cancellara, who was unable to force the pace following a crash involving his Team Saxo Bank colleague Andy Schleck.
Even though the two captains could not come to an agreement on a fourth innings run-chase, Yorkshire could still have gone on the attack in an attempt to force the pace ahead of a declaration.
Having helped force the pace, he was swamped two furlongs out but showed a really likeable attitude to battle back for minor honours and he is surely set for further success later in the season.