set the pace

set the pace

To establish the speed, level of skill, or standard of quality (that everyone else will or should try to follow or emulate). The new saleswoman blew away everyone else's weekly averages, setting the pace for the entire team. With their dedication to quality and beautiful design, they've been setting the pace in the industry for the past decade.
See also: pace, set
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

set the pace

Establish a standard for others to follow, as in Jim has set the pace for the department, exceeding the monthly quota every time. This expression comes from racing, where it is said of a horse that passes the others and leads the field. It was transferred to other activities in the early 1900s.
See also: pace, set
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

set the pace

COMMON If you set the pace, you do something which becomes the standard or level that other people must achieve. Most fashion journalists believe that Versace has got it right this season and has set the pace for mainstream fashion. In a deal that could set the pace in forthcoming pay deals, the 700,000 chemical workers settled for a 2 percent increase in pay. Note: This expression comes from the fact that a fast runner sets the speed at which all the other competitors in a race have to run.
See also: pace, set
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

set the pace

1 start a race as the fastest. 2 lead the way in doing or achieving something.
See also: pace, set
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

set the ˈpace

do something at a speed which other people must follow if they want to be successful; lead by being better, cleverer, more original, etc. than other people: Jones set the pace in the 5 000 metres. This new style of bicycle has really set the pace for the rest of the industry. ▶ ˈpacesetter noun: Richard Rogers is a pacesetter in modern architecture.
In athletics, one person in a race sets the pace for the other competitors by running faster than them.
See also: pace, set
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

set the pace

1. To go at a speed that other competitors attempt to match or surpass.
2. To behave or perform in a way that others try to emulate.
See also: pace, set
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • ride (one's) coattails
  • ride on (one's) coattails
  • ride on coattails
  • ride on someone's/something's coat-tails
  • ride (on) the coattails of (someone)
  • on the coattails of
  • on the coattails of (someone)
  • on the coat-tails of someone/something
  • empathize
  • empathize with
References in periodicals archive
Finally, Q3 saw Rosberg set the pace on his first run with 1m 20.824s.
Formula 1: Rosberg Heads Dominant Mercedes One-Two for Spanish GP
ONA works with nurses to Set the Pace at the Capitol.
Nurses set the pace
Mathew Goggin, Stephen Dartnall and Ewan Porter set the pace at the Australian Open by equalling John Senden's previous best round set in 2006.
Golf: Treble tops
Takuma Sato set the pace on the opening day of amulti-team Formula One test at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona yesterday.
Motorracing: IN BRIEF - MOTORSPORT; In association with www.flybe.com
It was the Mitsubishi trio of Bikawi, Malas and Egyptian Autocross champion Hossam Al Ansary who set the pace in the 5M Class in the Auto Test sector of the competition.
Bikawi survives three-way battle
Steve Siegel, the host of Explorer and vice president of Ecuadorian Rainforest, will set the pace for Explorer and lead discussions on selected topics for each program.
Ecuadorian Rainforest, LLC, Belleville, NJ, has launched Explorer, an Internet radio station located at www.exptalk.com
JMG Marton continue to set the pace in B Division after knocking up 163-4 with M Croft (44), and D Kitching (34).
Arshad sets up winning chase
Demand for commercial / industrial projects and institutional projects continue to set the pace for the sustained positive conditions.
Numbers bring good news
The Global Nomads directed it here and there, but the kids set the pace and the tone.
Global discussions: thanks to virtual town meetings with students across the globe, it's easy to share information about HIV and AIDS
COVENTRY speedster Rossano Bhandal is continuing to set the pace as the young karting ace sets his sights on a Formula One career.
Rossano right on track; football: Karting: JUNIOR SPORT: EVERY TUESDAY... IT'S YOUR ESSENTIAL WEEKLY ROUND-UP
"As leaders in our respective markets, PalmSource and Samsung Semiconductor plan to establish the most developer-friendly framework for application design, portability and enhancement--one that will set the pace for the enrichment of the mobile user experience of Palm Powered phones," said Charlie Tritschler, vice president of product marketing for PalmSource.
Samsung NAND Flash software to enable higher performance in Palm Powered smart phones
As our member firms have set the pace as leaders in the professional community, our governing Council recently acted to continue to place CPAs at the forefront of strong corporate governance and business practices.
Chair's corner
In the meantime, it's the private sector that needs to set the pace.
Track record: private companies in Brazil take the lead in railroad revitalization
Championship leaders Marco Werner and Frank Biela- also in an Audi R8 - set the pace, just over a second quicker than Herbert and Champion Audi partner JJ Lehto.
Motorsport: Herbert is on track
These are the words of an industry filled with passion and a pulse that is ready to set the pace for the rest of the metalcasting world to follow.
Checking our pulse