pace

pace

I

pace¹ W3 /peɪs/ noun1.  SPEED OF EVENTS/CHANGES  [singular] the speed at which something happens or is done
    pace of
    The pace of change in our lives is becoming faster and faster.
    at a steady/slow etc pace
    Public spending continues to rise at a steady pace.
2.  WALK/RUN  [singular] the speed at which someone walks, runs, or moves
    pace of
    You need to step up the pace of your exercises.
    at a slow/leisurely/brisk etc pace
    Lucy set off at a leisurely pace back to the hotel.
    He quickened his pace, longing to be home.
    Traffic slowed to a walking pace.
3.  STEP  [countable] a single step when you are running or walking, or the distance you move in one step
    pace backwards/towards/forwards etc
    He took a pace towards the door.
    Rebecca walked a few paces behind her mum.
4. keep pace (with something/somebody) to change or increase as fast as something else, or to move as fast as someone else:
    Salaries have not always kept pace with inflation.
    The supply of materials cannot keep pace with demand.
    Slow down__ I can’t keep pace with you.
5. go through your paces (also show your paces) to show how well you can do something
6. put somebody/something through their paces to make a person, vehicle, animal etc show how well they can do something:
    The test driver puts all the cars through their paces.
7. set the pace
  a. if a company sets the pace, it does something before its competitors or to a better standard
    set the pace in
    Japanese firms have been setting the pace in electronic engineering.
  b. (also set a brisk/cracking etc pace British English) to go faster than the other competitors in a race, who then try to achieve the same speed:
    The Italians set the pace for the first eight laps.
8. force the pace to make something happen or develop more quickly than it would do normally
    force the pace on
    measures designed to force the pace on alternative energy policies
9. be able to stand the pace to be able to deal with situations where you are very busy and have to think and act very quickly:
    If you can stand the pace, working in advertising pays well.
     

COLLOCATIONS

■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + pace
   ▪ rapid/fast The rapid pace of change creates uncertainty.
   ▪ slow The pace of life in the countryside is slower.
   ▪ a steady pace The economy was growing at a slow but steady pace.
   ▪ at your own pace (=at the pace that suits you) This allows each child to learn at his or her own pace.
   ▪ at a snail’s pace (=very slowly) Reform is proceeding at a snail’s pace.
   ▪ a breakneck pace (=extremely fast) Singapore prospered and modernized at a breakneck pace.
   ▪ a hectic/frantic pace (=a very fast and hurried speed) We worked at a hectic pace.
■ verbs
   ▪ the pace quickens/accelerates The pace of change is quickening.
   ▪ the pace slows/slackens After a surge in exports, the pace slackened considerably the following year.
   ▪ gather pace (=happen more quickly) Support for the campaign is gathering pace.
   ▪ keep up the pace (=continue to do something or happen as quickly as before) China's society is transforming but can it keep up the pace?
   ▪ keep up with the pace (=do something as fast as something else is happening or being done) It's essential that we constantly update our skills and keep up with the pace of change.
■ phrases
   ▪ the pace of change The pace of change accelerated dramatically in the early 1980s.
   ▪ the pace of life Here, the sun shines every day and the pace of life is slower.
   ▪ the pace of development The pace of development in computer graphics is amazing.
   ▪ the pace of reform Some senior party figures favor a slower pace of reform.
■ COMMON ERRORS
    ► Do not say 'in your own pace' or 'on your own pace'. Say at your own pace.

II

pace² verb
1. [intransitive always + adverb/preposition, transitive] to walk first in one direction and then in another many times, especially because you are nervous:
    I found Mark at the hospital, pacing restlessly up and down.
    pace the floor/room
    Sam stood up and paced the floor, deep in thought.
2. pace yourself
  a. to control the speed that you move at in a race, so that you still have energy left near the end:
    Nicky paced herself and came through the ranks to win.
  b. to organize your life and activities so that you do not have too much to do:
    You need to pace yourself and decide which tasks are the most important.
3. [transitive] (also pace something ↔ off, pace something ↔ out) to measure a distance by walking across it with steps of equal length:
    The director paced out the length of the stage.
     

THESAURUS

   ▪ walk to move forward by putting one foot in front of the other: I missed the bus so I decided to walk. | We’ve walked about eight miles today.
   ▪ wander to walk without any clear purpose or direction: They wandered around the narrow streets of the old city.
   ▪ stride to walk with long steps in a determined, confident, or angry way: A man in a suit came striding purposefully into the hall. | She strode onto the stage and began to address the audience.
   ▪ pace to walk first in one direction and then in another many times, especially because you are nervous: Nick was pacing up and down, waiting for the phone to ring.
   ▪ march to walk quickly with firm regular steps – used especially about soldiers or someone who is angry: The troops marched past with smart uniform and good discipline. | Sheila marched into the office and demanded an apology.
   ▪ wade to walk through deep water: We had to wade across the river.
   ▪ stomp to walk putting your feet down very hard, especially because you are angry: She turned and stomped off without looking back.