overtake /ˌoʊvɚˈteɪk/ verb overtakes; overtook /-ˈtʊk/ ; /ˌoʊvɚˈtʊk/; overtaken /-ˈteɪkən/ ; /ˌoʊvɚˈteɪkən/; overtaking overtakes; overtook /-ˈtʊk/ ; /ˌoʊvɚˈtʊk/; overtaken /-ˈteɪkən/ ; /ˌoʊvɚˈteɪkən/; overtaking Learner's definition of OVERTAKE
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a [+ object] : to move up to and past (someone or something that is in front of you) by moving faster赶上；超过 —
often used figuratively常用作比喻 -
All of the other candidates hope to overtake the front-runner by election day.所有其他的候选人都希望在选举日到来之时超过领先者。
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Obesity may soon overtake smoking as the leading cause of preventable deaths.肥胖可能很快会取代吸烟成为导致可预防死亡的首要原因。
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Frank has overtaken his father in height. [=Frank is now taller than his father]弗兰克个头儿已经超过了父亲。
b [no object] British : to go past another vehicle that is moving more slowly in the same direction超车 2
[+ object] : to happen to or affect (someone) in a sudden and unexpected way突然侵袭；意外碰上 -
The pain overtook him.他突然疼痛难忍。
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Seasickness can overtake passengers when the ship encounters a storm.轮船遭遇风暴时乘客会感到晕船。
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Sleep had overtaken them.他们都睡着了。
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I could feel the impulse to buy it overtaking [=seizing] me.我能够感到购买的冲动在支配自己。
overtaken by events
: forced to be changed because of something that has suddenly and unexpectedly happened因突发事件而被迫改变