outdo
B2Neutral to formal
Definition
Meaning
To do better than someone else; to surpass or exceed in performance or achievement.
To go beyond what has been done before, often in a competitive context; to outperform or outshine.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies a direct or indirect comparison, often with a sense of competition or one-upmanship. Can be used in both positive (admirable achievement) and negative (excessive or show-off) contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Both varieties use the word identically.
Connotations
Slightly more common in British English in formal or literary contexts, but the difference is minimal.
Frequency
Moderate frequency in both varieties, with very similar usage patterns.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] outdoes [Object][Subject] outdoes [Object] in [Activity/Quality]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “outdo oneself”
- “try to outdo each other”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used to describe companies outperforming competitors in market share or innovation.
Academic
Used in discussions of research achievements or scholarly output.
Everyday
Common in describing personal achievements, sports, or friendly competition.
Technical
Rare in highly technical contexts; more common in management or performance analysis.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The new model aims to outdo its predecessor in fuel efficiency.
- She didn't want to outdo her sister at the piano recital.
American English
- Our team needs to outdo the competition this quarter.
- He always tries to outdo himself with bigger holiday decorations each year.
adverb
British English
- No adverb form in standard use.
American English
- No adverb form in standard use.
adjective
British English
- No adjective form in standard use.
American English
- No adjective form in standard use.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My brother can run fast, but I can outdo him in a swimming race.
- The blue team tried to outdo the red team.
- Each year, the chefs try to outdo each other with more creative dishes.
- She managed to outdo her previous sales record.
- The company's latest innovation has outdone all its competitors in the market.
- There's a constant pressure to outdo one's own previous achievements.
- The sequel sought to outdo the original film in both visual spectacle and narrative complexity.
- In their rivalry, each sought to outdo the other in acts of extravagant generosity.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'OUT' + 'DO' = to DO better, so you are OUT of the competition because you did more.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMPETITION IS A RACE (to outdo someone is to get ahead in the race)
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating as 'сделать вне' (literal nonsense). Correct equivalents: 'превзойти', 'переплюнуть' (colloquial).
- Don't confuse with 'outdoor' (на открытом воздухе) due to similar spelling.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'outdo' without an object (incorrect: 'She always tries to outdo.' correct: 'She always tries to outdo her colleagues.')
- Confusing 'outdo' with 'outrun' or 'outlast' (which are more specific).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'outdo' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is irregular: outdo - outdid - outdone.
Yes, it often has a positive connotation of achieving something impressive, though it can sometimes imply excessive competition.
'Outperform' is more neutral and business-like, often used for measurable results. 'Outdo' can be more personal and implies a direct comparison or rivalry.
Yes, it's a common idiom meaning to do something even better than one's usual standard, often surprisingly so.