set the pace
Define the speed
To set the pace is to establish the speed or standard that others follow.
Originally from racing, where a lead runner determines how fast competitors must go: She set the pace for the first mile.
The phrase extends to any situation where someone establishes expectations others must meet: Their innovative products set the pace for the entire industry.
Likely winner
- trailblazerFirst to forge ahead
- pioneerEarly explorer or settler
- leaderOne who guides others
- forerunnerOne that comes before
vanguard · trendsetter · pathfinder · guide · bellwether · standard-bearer · torchbearer · captain
front-runner
Likely winner
- trailblazerFirst to forge ahead
- pioneerEarly explorer or settler
- leaderOne who guides others
forerunner · vanguard · trendsetter · pathfinder · guide · bellwether · standard-bearer · torchbearer · captain · spearhead
rhythm
Patterned stress and silence
meter · beat · stride · momentum · flow · rate · velocity · pulse · gait · clip
standard
Level of quality accepted
benchmark · norm · guideline · threshold · baseline · bar · measure · reference point · expectation · target
- Leadership idiomslead by example, take the reins, at the helm, call the shots, take charge
set the pacefollow the leader
Imitation game for children
follow along · bring up the rear · lag behind · trail behind · keep up
set the pacehang back
Remain behind others
hold back · wait and see · play it safe · drag one's feet · bide one's time
set the pacetake a back seat
Become less prominent
follow orders · wait and see · go along with · play second fiddle · react
set, pace, setting, sets, setback, mindset, pacing, reset, outset