leave somebody/something in the dust

leave (someone or something) in the dust

1. To leave someone or something far behind due to how quickly one is moving. With the new modifications to our car's engine, we were able to leave the other racers in the dust.

2. To completely outclass, outperform, or surpass someone or something else. There is no question that their latest smartphone leaves every other model on the market in the dust. The up-and-coming basketball star has been leaving his peers in the dust.

See also: dust, leave

leave somebody/something in the ˈdust

(American English) leave somebody/something far behind: The four-minute mile barrier has been left in the dust by a generation of faster runners. ♢ In the local elections, Jackson won easily, leaving all other candidates in the dust.

See also: dust, leave, somebody, something