before the wind

Idioms  

1. Driven ahead, hurried, as in The bikers are moving before the wind, so it's hard to tell who will come in first. The literal meaning of this term is nautical, referring to a ship sailing in the same direction as the wind and being propelled forward. Its figurative use dates from the mid-1800s.

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Example Sentences

Open qualifying, posted his 68 in the morning before the wind and the temperatures picked up.

From Washington Times • Jun. 1, 2023

On a good day, even a distance runner’s legs wobble and fail long before the wind does.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 7, 2023

The weather and the views were ideal Thursday, though Ewing finished before the wind began whipping and a marine layer covered the sun and reduced temperatures by about 10 degrees.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 2, 2023

It was hours before the wind relented, allowing her to finally open her door.

From New York Times • Sep. 3, 2021

The downdraft arrived, that eerie second before a big storm hits, just before the wind swoops through and brings in the hard rain.

From Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles