pack (redirected from packs out)

be ahead of the pack

to be more successful than other people who are trying to achieve the same things as you. At this stage in the campaign, the Democratic candidate is way ahead of the pack.

See also: ahead

the joker in the pack

someone or something that could change a situation in a way that you do not expect. The independent candidate is the joker in the pack in this election.

pack a punch (informal)

if someone can pack a punch, they can hit very hard when they are fighting. He's a big guy - I should imagine he can pack a fair punch.

See also: punch

pack your bags

to leave a place or a job and not return. The Chief of Police has defied the order to pack his bags.

See also: bag

a pack of lies (formal)

a story that someone has invented in order to deceive people. He dismissed recent rumours that he'd had affairs with a number of women as 'a pack of lies'. The entire account of where she'd been and who she'd been with that night was a tissue of lies.

See also: lie

a pack rat (American)

someone who collects things that they do not need. For me there could be nothing worse than living with a pack rat.

See also: rat

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ahead of the pack

more successful than those you are competing against. In terms of raising money, Joe Anderson is way ahead of the pack. Of all the software I've tested, this product is ahead of the pack.

See also: ahead

lead the pack

to be first or best of a group. For the second week in a row, the new Star Wars movie leads the pack at the box office.

See also: lead

pack a punch

to have a powerful effect or influence. For big flavor, a blend of cumin, chili powder, coriander, cayenne, and black pepper packs a punch.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of pack a punch (= hit very hard)

See also: punch

pack your bags

to leave a place or a job and not return. Several members of the city council feel the chief of police should pack his bags.

See also: bag

pack it in

to stop doing an activity or job. After another 11-hour day of campaigning, Kerns is ready to pack it in. Most professional athletes want to pack it in before they lose their ability to play well.

pack someone off

to send someone away. We packed the kids off to their grandparents for the weekend.

pack them in

to attract many people. Her Friday night appearances at the club have been packing them in.

See also: them

pack up someone

to prepare someone to leave by gathering all their possessions. When the teachers heard about a flood warning, they packed up the children and sent them home.