over·take 
/ˌoʊvɚˈteɪk/ verb
over·takes; over·took /ˌoʊvɚˈteɪk/ verb /-ˈtʊk/ over·tak·en /-ˈteɪkən/ over·tak·ing 1 a [+ obj] : to move up to and past (someone or something that is in front of you) by moving faster
▪ The car overtook [=passed] the leader of the race on the turn. ▪ She overtook the other runners and went on to win the race. — often used figuratively ▪ All of the other candidates hope to overtake the front-runner by election day. ▪ Obesity may soon overtake smoking as the leading cause of preventable deaths. ▪ Frank has overtaken his father in height. [=Frank is now taller than his father]
b [no obj] Brit : to go past another vehicle that is moving more slowly in the same direction
▪ Never overtake [=(US) pass] on a curve. ▪ The sign says “No Overtaking.” 2 [+ obj] : to happen to or affect (someone) in a sudden and unexpected way
▪ The pain overtook him. ▪ Seasickness can overtake passengers when the ship encounters a storm. ▪ Sleep had overtaken them. ▪ I could feel the impulse to buy it overtaking [=seizing] me.
▪ The car overtook [=passed] the leader of the race on the turn. ▪ She overtook the other runners and went on to win the race. — often used figuratively ▪ All of the other candidates hope to overtake the front-runner by election day. ▪ Obesity may soon overtake smoking as the leading cause of preventable deaths. ▪ Frank has overtaken his father in height. [=Frank is now taller than his father]
b [no obj] Brit : to go past another vehicle that is moving more slowly in the same direction
▪ Never overtake [=(US) pass] on a curve. ▪ The sign says “No Overtaking.”
▪ The pain overtook him. ▪ Seasickness can overtake passengers when the ship encounters a storm. ▪ Sleep had overtaken them. ▪ I could feel the impulse to buy it overtaking [=seizing] me.
overtaken by events
: forced to be changed because of something that has suddenly and unexpectedly happened
▪ The original date for the meeting was overtaken by events and had to be changed.
▪ The original date for the meeting was overtaken by events and had to be changed.
