leave someone in the dust

present singular third person leaves someone in the dust · participle present leaving someone in the dust · participle past left someone in the dust · past left someone in the dust

1. idiomaticinformalTo completely overtake a competitor.First known use late 19th c.

   The company has currently no plans to switch away from the old designs, so they could very easily be left in the dust.

   2 more examples

   With that we parted. Presently after my friend overtook and passed me on a hired steed which seemed to scorn its cavalier; and I was left in the dust of his passage, a prey to whirling thoughts.

   1892, Robert Louis Stevenson, The Wrecker

   Also, a few good, active, progressive teachers in one school will set all the others to thinking. By selecting the most alert in each school, a little leaven will leaven the whole lump. The fear of being left in the dust of the procession is a spur if wisely directed.

   1894, National Educational Association (U.S.), Journal of Proceedings and Addresses

   Synonyms: leave for dust

2. datedTo abandon; to leave behind.First known use 17th–20th c.

   The soul knows itself to be more noble than the corruptible body, which it is now to leave in the dust;

   1671, Rev. John Flavel, The Fountian of Life; or, A Display of Christ in His Essential and Mediatorial Glory

   3 more examples

   In like manner, our great Henry, was not he forſaken? Left in the duſt of disfauour, and neglected all the time of his childhood?

   1619, Thomas Milles, ΑΡΧΑΙΟ-ΠΛΟΥΤΟΣ. Containing, Ten following Bookes to the former Treasurie of Auncient and Moderne Times

   It was conformable to the eternal juſtice of his Father to exalt him that had humbled himſelf ſo much; Lowlineſs ſhall not always be left in the duſt to be deſpiſed.

   1675, Bishop John Hacket, A Century of Sermons Upon Several Remarkable Subjects

   But conſider, Chriſt is long-liv'd, and therefore your Glory ſhall not be left in the Duſt, nor God's holy Ones left to Corruption and Rottenneſs.

   1703, Thomas Manton, A Practical Exposition on the Whole Fifty Third Chapter of Isaiah