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
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.
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Dominic Dudley, semafor.com, 21 Nov. 2025
Play in the trenches set the pace on both ends for the Hurricanes.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 21 Nov. 2025
Independent restaurateurs continue to hold their ground, and in many cases, set the pace.
—Laura L. Davis, Nashville Tennessean, 13 Nov. 2025
Chubb is needed to set the pace on defense, and his ability to get after the quarterback will go a long way to shutting down Jackson's dual-threat capabilities.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
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Dominic Dudley, semafor.com, 21 Nov. 2025
Play in the trenches set the pace on both ends for the Hurricanes.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 21 Nov. 2025
Independent restaurateurs continue to hold their ground, and in many cases, set the pace.
—Laura L. Davis, Nashville Tennessean, 13 Nov. 2025
Chubb is needed to set the pace on defense, and his ability to get after the quarterback will go a long way to shutting down Jackson's dual-threat capabilities.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 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 28 Nov. 2025.
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