to outbid / surpass
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to outbid
To make a higher bid than another bidder, especially at an auction or sale.
In letzter Sekunde hat ein anonymer Käufer das bisherige Höchstgebot für das Gemälde überboten.
At the last second, an anonymous buyer outbid the previous highest bid for the painting.
to outdo each other
In a competition, to try to surpass each other in a performance, offer, or quality.
Die Redner überboten sich gegenseitig mit Wahlversprechen.
The speakers outdid each other with campaign promises.
to surpass
To surpass someone or something in a particular quality, ability, or performance.
In puncto Luxus ist dieses Hotel kaum zu überbieten.
In terms of luxury, this hotel is hard to surpass.
'Überbieten' (to outbid / surpass) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'über-' remains firmly attached to the verb in all sentence forms and tenses, because it has a figurative meaning of 'going beyond'.
Er überbot alle anderen bei der Auktion.
He outbid everyone else at the auction.
In the meaning of 'sich gegenseitig übertreffen' (to surpass each other), the verb is always used reflexively: 'sich überbieten' (to outdo each other). The preposition 'mit' (with) often follows to name what the competition consists of.
Die Kandidaten überboten sich mit Versprechungen für die Zukunft.
The candidates outdid each other with promises for the future.
To express that something is unsurpassable or the best of its kind, the construction 'kaum zu überbieten' (hard to surpass) or 'nicht zu überbieten' (impossible to surpass) is often used.
Die Aussicht vom Berggipfel war an Schönheit nicht zu überbieten.
The view from the mountain peak was unsurpassable in its beauty.
The literal meaning of 'überbieten' (to outbid) is used almost exclusively in the context of auctions, sales by auction, or sales negotiations where bids are made.
Ein Museum überbot den privaten Sammler und kaufte das Manuskript.
A museum outbid the private collector and bought the manuscript.
to surpass
Übertreffen and überbieten can both express a better performance. Übertreffen is neutral and general, whereas überbieten sounds more like a competition or trying to outdo one another. Übertreffen is suitable for an objective comparison of performance, while überbieten is often used in a contest.
Im Finale versuchen beide Läuferinnen, sich gegenseitig zu überbieten.
In the final, both runners try to outdo each other.
Die neue Läuferin übertrifft ihre Konkurrentin deutlich.
The new runner clearly outperforms her competitor.
