not see someone for dust: meaning & examples

Meanings:

• 1.

  British EnglishAmerican EnglishinformalcolloquialMachine
  • To leave someone far behind, especially by moving faster so that they cannot catch up.
  • To outdistance someone decisively in a contest or competition.

  Examples

  Beta

  • As soon as the race started, she sprinted ahead so fast we didn’t see her for dust.

    Tan pronto como comenzó la carrera, ella salió corriendo tan rápido que no la vimos ni en pintura.

  • After the promotion, Jake moved so quickly up the corporate ladder, his old colleagues didn’t see him for dust.

    Después del ascenso, Jake avanzó tan rápido en la escalera corporativa que sus antiguos colegas no lo vieron más.

  • When the competition began, our team took the lead immediately and the others didn’t see us for dust.

    Cuando comenzó la competencia, nuestro equipo tomó la delantera de inmediato y los demás no nos vieron ni en pintura.

• 2.

  chiefly BritishinformalMachine
  • To avoid encountering or seeing someone; to keep away from another person.

  Examples

  Beta

  • After their argument, Sarah decided to not see Tom for dust and avoided all mutual hangouts.

    After their argument, Sarah decided to not see Tom for dust and avoided all mutual hangouts.

  • John was so upset that he didn’t want to see his old friends for dust at the reunion.

    John was so upset that he didn’t want to see his old friends for dust at the reunion.

  • If you keep acting like that, I’m going to not see you for dust and stay away completely.

    If you keep acting like that, I’m going to not see you for dust and stay away completely.