pull ahead

pull ahead (of someone or something)

1. To move to a physical location in front of another person or thing, especially during a race. They were neck and neck during the race, but the Nigerian runner pulled ahead in the final seconds. I need to follow behind you to know where we're going, so please don't pull too far ahead of us in traffic.
2. To move into a position of greater success (than someone or something) in some competitive activity. The software giant has begun pulling ahead in the video game market thanks to its revolutionary new console. She pulled ahead of her opponent in the election.
See also: ahead, pull, someone
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

pull ahead (of someone or something)

to pass someone or something and continue moving. The runner pulled ahead of the rest of the field. Our car pulled ahead of theirs.
See also: ahead, pull
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • pull ahead (of someone or something)
  • during
  • during the course of
  • rough time
  • a rough time
  • tin hat
  • baby boomer
  • boomer
  • a baby boomer
  • crack the code, to
References in periodicals archive
Moira Parsons with Ann Webb (both Welford), Di Wilkinson (Stoke) and Pat Moore (3 Spires) started slowly but five shots on the sixth end gave them a boost and they managed to pull ahead to a 21-17 win.
Ladies make their mark with maximum points; BOWLS
But the Pioneers answered with a pair of goals to pull ahead 12-9 and it remained a three-goal lead until van den Berg scored her third of the game with 4:44 to play.
For the fifth time, Pioneers' path to victory paved by making Oregon trail again
Cowden were unlucky not to pull ahead just before the break but Brown scooped the ball from a Winter's cross over the bar.
FOOTBALL: Gary has a Cutch of real class; DUMBARTON ...1 COWDENBEATH ...1
However, now that nanowires can be grown with stripes of different semiconducting materials, the wires may pull ahead of tubes in that race, Lieber notes.
Circuitry in a nanowire: novel growth method may transform chips. (Science News This Week)
TELECOMWORLDWIRE-8 August 2001-Asia to pull ahead of the US in terms of Internet subscribers by 2003 (C)1994-2001 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD http://www.m2.com
Asia to pull ahead of the US in terms of Internet subscribers by 2003
Proof that, in the size stakes, City are starting to pull ahead of their neighbours.
Brian Reade column: All turning much Bluer
In the constant rivalry between capacity and speed, speed is beginning to pull ahead. The ability to handle increased transactions per second seems to have become more important than capacities per individual spindle.
HDD And The Changing Face Of Backup
After starting out strong, the Lady Maroons allowed the Lady Warriors to gain steam and pull ahead 2-1 but recovered just in time in the fourth to force a deciding set.
UP rallies to take five-setter over UE in UAAP volleyball opener
After a tie and three lead changes, Elgin took the lead on a 3-pointer by Trey Yarber with 1:38 to play to pull ahead 56-54.
Elgin nips Elk Grove for Hess' first victory
The crew from The Old Bridge at Ripponden pull ahead of Vicky's Vikings at the start of the dragon boat race.
Dragon boats take to water
Washington, Sep.1 (ANI): President Barack Obama's approval ratings maybe very low, but according to the latest Quinnipiac poll, none of his GOP rivals will pull ahead of him in 2012.
GOP rivals won't pull ahead of Obama in spite of his poor approval ratings
Because Ellis is so dominant on hills, Oram and Marlboro coach Mark Vital decided the best plan would be to pull ahead early, allow Ellis to catch up during the uphill portion of the race, then use a final burst to reach the finish line first.
Marlboro newcomer surprises with win
With the three picking up the tempo, the Kings were able to pull ahead, 92-80.
Ginebra takes semis opener over San Miguel
In the elite amateur open category, Korean Park Min-ung , the former national junior champion, scored a 70 to pull ahead by four shots over JP de Claro and Ira Alido.
Malarayat: Bagtas paces Senior Open Mid-Am
Based on this data, and what you already know about these countries, which country is likely to pull ahead of the other in the foreseeable future, and why?
World in Focus