set the pace

phrase

: 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

Consider one team effort, and set the pace by keeping the plan simple, like volunteering for a shift at a community event. — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 15 Sep. 2026

The Tigers got four strong innings from starter Keider Montero and a two-run home run from Colt Keith in the first inning to set the pace for the rest of the afternoon. — Christian Romo, Freep.com, 10 Sep. 2026

Other biological rhythms, such as movement or breathing, could also help set the pace of animal communication—leaving open how vastly different species arrive at similar tempos. — Anirban Mukhopadhyay, Scientific American, 7 Sep. 2026

Defensively, veteran linebacker Myles Graham set the pace with 10 tackles, including a half-sack. — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2026

Rhymes for set the pace

• aerospace
• anatase
• anyplace
• commonplace
• cyberspace
• database
• diabase
• diastase
• dnase
• elastase
• fireplace
• hyperspace