set the pace

Idioms

Establish a standard for others to follow, as in Jim has set the pace for the department, exceeding the monthly quota every time. This expression comes from racing, where it is said of a horse that passes the others and leads the field. It was transferred to other activities in the early 1900s.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

While City could drop points again, Jeglertz has a world-class squad that has set the pace all season.

From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026

Matejka’s hunch is that unlike 2025, Magnificent Seven stocks may not set the pace in a rebound and the leadership may be more broad-based.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 27, 2026

The rate matters because it helps set the pace of economic growth.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026

The company’s annual improvements to its processors set the pace for the AI chips sector.

From Barron's • Jan. 2, 2026

Immediate needs set the pace of his parents’ lives.

From "Hunger of Memory" by Richard Rodriguez

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023