transitive. To outdo in running; to run faster or further than. Also: to leave behind by greater speed; to escape, elude.

to show (a person) a (cleanor fair) pair of heels (also one's heels) and variants: to flee, to run away from someone or something; (in later use…

to have (also get) the heels of: to outrun, outstrip; to catch up with. Now rare.

transitive. To outrun, outpace, or leave behind (a pursuer, a fellow competitor in a race, etc.). Cf. to throw off 7a at phrasal verbs. Obsolete.

transitive. To leave behind or outpace (the other members of a party or group, or other people who are heading in the same direction); esp. to pull…

transitive. To shake off or elude (a pursuer, a fellow competitor in a race, etc.). Cf. to throw out 8a at phrasal verbs, to throw off the scent at…

To draw away from, be no longer near or among; to leave hopelessly behind in a race.

to gain ground: originally Military to conquer ground from an adversary: cf. equivalent phrases s.v. g… to gain ground of: to draw further away…

intransitive or absol. with prepositions. to gain from: to get further away from (a pursuer). ? Obsolete. (Cf. 8d.)