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overtake

oh-vur-TAYK /ˌoʊvərˈteɪk/

verbB1IELTS

neutral

To catch up with and pass another vehicle moving in the same direction.

Focuses on passing another vehicle while both are moving; standard term in British English and global driving tests.

The story behind the word. A compound formed in Middle English from over and taka (to take hold of). Originally meaning to catch up with someone by pursuit, by the 19th century it specifically referred to fast horses or vehicles drawing alongside and surging past slower ones.

Word relationships

pass: Pass is the preferred term in American English, whereas overtake is standard in British English.
outstrip: Outstrip emphasizes leaving behind through superior speed or performance.

fall behind: Fall behind means dropping back in speed or position relative to others.

Commonly confused with

undertake: Undertake means to commit to a task, or in British driving slang, illegally passing on the inside lane.

Word family

overtaking (noun): The act of passing another moving vehicle.

Collocations

overtake safely
attempt to overtake
overtake on the left

Idioms & expressions

overtake on the inside

Example sentences

"The carriage had moved ahead, but our postilion accelerated to overtake it on the ridge." Classic Travel Literature
"Never try to overtake a heavy truck on a blind curve where visibility is compromised." Highway driving

Memory hook

OVER-TAKE = Go OVER the lane line to TAKE the lead position. Overtake = Catch up and pass.

When not to use

Do not use for passing stationary objects like parked cars (use 'pass' or 'bypass' instead).

Fun facts

In the UK, overtaking on the left ('undertaking') on motorways is strongly discouraged and prohibited by the Highway Code except in slow queueing traffic.