pace (oneself)

pace (oneself)

To move or progress at a speed and rate that one is able to sustain until the act is completed. Pace yourself—if you start sprinting right at the beginning of the race, you'll run out of energy well before the finish line!

See also: pace

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 something

off to mark off a distance by counting the number of even strides taken while walking. The farmer paced a few yards off and pounded a stake into the soil. He paced off a few yards.

pace (oneself)

To move or make progress at a sensible or moderate rate.