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ace out

B2 informal separable transitive
In simple words

To beat someone clearly, or to push someone out of a job or competition.

Literal meaning: To score an ace (winning serve/shot) to push someone out.

Meanings

1 B2 idiomatic informal

To defeat a competitor decisively, especially in a contest or business situation.

"Our team aced out the rivals in the final round of the pitch competition."

Grammar: separable
2 C1 idiomatic informal

To manoeuvre someone out of a position or opportunity, often unfairly.

"He felt he had been aced out of the promotion by office politics."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

Primarily North American informal English. Can be used both for competition (outperforming) and for workplace situations (displacing someone). Separable: 'ace someone out' or 'ace out someone'.

Commonly used with

competitor rival opponent position contract deal

Forms

Base
ace out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
aces out
he/she/it
Past simple
aced out
yesterday
Past participle
aced out
have + pp
-ing form
acing out
continuous

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Synonyms

beat out outperform outcompete displace edge out surpass

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