leave someone in the dust

English

Etymology

Originally (from 17th c.), to leave in the dust meant to abandon or leave something/someone behind - literally or figuratively on the dirt ground.

In modern usage (since late 19th c.), the sense has shifted to one about being overtaken by a competitor, the allusion changing to being left in the airborne dust that has been kicked up by a faster runner, horse, or vehicle.

Verb

leave someone in the dust (third-person singular simple present leaves someone in the dust, present participle leaving someone in the dust, simple past and past participle left someone in the dust)

  1. (informal, idiomatic) To completely overtake a competitor. [from late 19th c.]
    Synonym: leave for dust
    The company has currently no plans to switch away from the old designs, so they could very easily be left in the dust.
    • 1892, Robert Louis Stevenson, The Wrecker‎[1]:
      With that we parted. Presently after my friend overtook and passed me on a hired steed which seemed to scorn its cavalier; and I was left in the dust of his passage, a prey to whirling thoughts.
    • 1894, National Educational Association (U.S.), Journal of Proceedings and Addresses‎[2]:
      Also, a few good, active, progressive teachers in one school will set all the others to thinking. By selecting the most alert in each school, a little leaven will leaven the whole lump. The fear of being left in the dust of the procession is a spur if wisely directed.
  2. (dated) To abandon; to leave behind. [17th–20th c.]
    • 1619, Thomas Milles, ΑΡΧΑΙΟ-ΠΛΟΥΤΟΣ. Containing, Ten following Bookes to the former Treasurie of Auncient and Moderne Times‎[3]:
      In like manner, our great Henry, was not he forſaken? Left in the duſt of disfauour, and neglected all the time of his childhood?
    • 1671, Rev. John Flavel, The Fountian of Life; or, A Display of Christ in His Essential and Mediatorial Glory‎[4]:
      The soul knows itself to be more noble than the corruptible body, which it is now to leave in the dust;
    • 1675, Bishop John Hacket, A Century of Sermons Upon Several Remarkable Subjects‎[5]:
      It was conformable to the eternal juſtice of his Father to exalt him that had humbled himſelf ſo much; Lowlineſs ſhall not always be left in the duſt to be deſpiſed.
    • 1703, Thomas Manton, A Practical Exposition on the Whole Fifty Third Chapter of Isaiah‎[6]:
      But conſider, Chriſt is long-liv'd, and therefore your Glory ſhall not be left in the Duſt, nor God's holy Ones left to Corruption and Rottenneſs.

See also

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