set the pace
idiom
: to be the one that is at the front in a race and that controls how fast the other racers have to go
—often used figuratively
The company's advanced equipment sets the pace for the recording industry.
Examples of set the pace in a Sentence
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Rico Hoey set the pace during the morning wave with an 8-under 63, but Scheffler may surpass that number.
—
Savannah Leigh Richardson, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
After allowing the uptempo Bulls to set the pace and sweep the teams’ three-game regular-season series, Miami held Chicago to a season-low 90 points on 39.8 percent shooting from the field and 10-of-37 (27%) shooting on threes on Wednesday.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 17 Apr. 2025
Herro followed up his third-place performance in the opening round to set the pace in the final with 24 points.
—Josh Dubow, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2025
The race has begun—now is the time to set the pace.
—Venkat Viswanathan, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for set the pace
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Savannah Leigh Richardson, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
After allowing the uptempo Bulls to set the pace and sweep the teams’ three-game regular-season series, Miami held Chicago to a season-low 90 points on 39.8 percent shooting from the field and 10-of-37 (27%) shooting on threes on Wednesday.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 17 Apr. 2025
Herro followed up his third-place performance in the opening round to set the pace in the final with 24 points.
—Josh Dubow, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2025
The race has begun—now is the time to set the pace.
—Venkat Viswanathan, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for set the pace
Cite this Entry
“Set the pace.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/set%20the%20pace. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
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