pace (redirected from putting through paces)

at a snail's pace and at a snail's gallop

very slowly. Things are moving along at a snail's pace here, but we'll finish on time—have no fear. Poor old Wally is creeping at a snail's gallop because his car has a flat tire.

change of pace

an addition of some variety in one's life, routine, or abode. Going to the beach on the weekend will be a change of pace. The doctor says I need a change of pace from this cold climate.

See also: change

It is the pace that kills.

Prov. Trying to do too much too fast is bad for you. Nancy: I hate college. Bill: Why? Is the subject material too difficult? Nancy: No, they just expect me to learn too much of it too fast. It is the pace that kills.

See also: kill

keep pace (with someone or something)

1. Lit. to move at the same speed as someone, something, or an animal; to match someone or some creature pace for pace. The black horse was having a hard time keeping pace with the brown one. Tom runs very fast and I couldn't keep pace with him.

2. Fig. to manage to move, learn, change, etc., at the same rate as someone or something. Bill can't keep pace with the geometry class. You've just got to keep pace.

See also: keep

pace something out

1. Lit. to measure a distance by counting the number of even strides taken while walking. He paced the distance out and wrote it down. He paced out the distance from the door to the mailbox.

2. Fig. to deal with a problem by pacing around. When she was upset, she walked and walked while she thought through her problem. When Ed came into the room, she was pacing a new crisis out. She usually paced out her anxiety.

pace around and pace about

to walk around nervously or anxiously. Stop pacing around and sit down. There is no need to pace about.

See also: around

pace back and forth and pace up and down

to walk over and over the same short route nervously or anxiously. The leopard paced back and forth in its cage. I paced up and down, worrying about a variety of things.

See also: and, back, forth

pick up the pace

to speed up the tempo; to increase the rate that something is being done. We are going to have to pick up the pace of activity around here if we are to get the job done.

See also: pick, up

put one through one's paces and put something through its paces

Fig. to give someone or something a thorough test; to show what someone or something can do. I brought the young gymnast out and put her through her paces.

See also: one, put, through

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at a snail's pace

very slowly

Usage notes: A snail is a small animal with a shell that moves very slowly.

The roads were full of traffic and we were travelling at a snail's pace.

can't stand/take the pace

to be unable to do things well when you are under a lot of pressure If he can't stand the pace he shouldn't be doing the job - it's as simple as that.

See set the pace

See also: stand

put somebody through their paces

to test someone's skills or knowledge This fitness contest will really put the guys through their paces.

See also: put, through

set the pace

if someone sets the pace in a particular activity, they do it very well or very quickly and other people try to do the same (often + for ) America's reforms have set the pace for European finance ministers. For many years this company has set the pace in the communications industry.

See also: set

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a change of pace

a different activity than what came before People need to get up and move around at lunchtime - they need a change of pace, and a chance to socialize. He decided to take the role because it was a nice change of pace from his last few movies.

See also: change

at a snail's pace

very slowly The action moves at a snail's pace in this film, as if all the characters were asleep.

Etymology: from the fact that a snail (a small animal with a round shell) moves very slowly

keep pace (with somebody/something)

to stay at the same level as someone or something We get regular pay raises that are supposed to keep pace with inflation.

See also: keep

put somebody/something through their paces

to test the ability or skill of a person or system This contest will really put you guys through your paces. Frank took the car for a drive through the mountains and really put it through its paces.

See also: put, through

set the pace

to do something that establishes a standard What institutions set the pace for TV news? Our company is setting the pace for flexibility and responsiveness in the industry.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of set the pace (to establish the speed at which a group moves)

See also: set