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
Recent Examples on the Web
Fresh initiative surges as exhilarating Mars soars into your sign, inviting you to set the pace and show your authentic style.
—
Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 23 Jan. 2026
New York has long set the pace for financial regulation, from policing Wall Street to shaping national consumer finance norms.
—Aj Dhaliwal, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Gabriela Jaquez set the pace with 22 points (making 10 of 13 shots) while Charlisse Leger-Walker added 17 points, nine rebounds and eight assists.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2026
Emirates set the pace with orders for 65 Boeing 777 aircraft, worth $38 billion at list prices, followed by a deal for eight Airbus A350 aircraft.
—Dominic Dudley, semafor.com, 21 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for set the pace
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Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 23 Jan. 2026
New York has long set the pace for financial regulation, from policing Wall Street to shaping national consumer finance norms.
—Aj Dhaliwal, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Gabriela Jaquez set the pace with 22 points (making 10 of 13 shots) while Charlisse Leger-Walker added 17 points, nine rebounds and eight assists.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2026
Emirates set the pace with orders for 65 Boeing 777 aircraft, worth $38 billion at list prices, followed by a deal for eight Airbus A350 aircraft.
—Dominic Dudley, semafor.com, 21 Nov. 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 1 Feb. 2026.
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