gain on
Narrow the gap
To gain on is to close the distance between yourself and someone or something ahead of you: The runner in second place was gaining on the leader.
It implies gradual progress in a pursuit or competition.
The phrase also applies to abstract catching up: Generic brands are gaining on the name brands.
close in
Approach from all sides
- catch upReach someone ahead
- make groundAchieve forward progress
- overtakePass while moving faster
reel in · chase down · hunt down · pursue · trail · shadow · track · tail · stalk · hound
- investigatinginvestigate, examine, inspect, probe, search
- pursuitchase, chasing, pursuit, chase down, pursue
- intrusionsintrusion, intrude, intruder, intruding, barging in
relative position in pursuit/competition
gain onfall behind
Fail to maintain pace
lose ground · fall back · drop back · lag behind · slip back
on, gain, gains, gained, gaining, regain, ungainly, regained, regaining