出し抜く

• Reading: だしぬく
• Romaji: dashinuku
• Kanji breakdown: 出 (shutsu/da) — to go out, to put forth; 抜く (nuku) — to pull out, to surpass
• Pronunciation: /da.ɕi.nɯ.kɯ/

Meaning

To outmanoeuvre someone; to steal a march on a rival; to get the better of someone by acting before they can respond.

A Group 1 (godan) compound verb combining 出す (to put forth) and 抜く (to pull through, to surpass). Implies a clever, pre-emptive strike — acting while others are unaware and leaving them no opportunity to respond. Often used in competitive business and strategic contexts.

Examples

1. ライバル会社を出し抜いて先に特許を申請した。 We outmaneuvered the rival company by filing the patent first.
2. 彼女は同僚を出し抜いてプロジェクトリーダーの座を掴んだ。 She got the better of her colleagues and seized the position of project leader.
3. 相手の戦術を読んで出し抜くことが重要だ。 It's crucial to read the opponent's tactics and outmaneuver them.

Usage Guide

Context: business, competition, strategy

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From 出す (to put forth, to act) and 抜く (to pull through, to surpass). The compound evokes the image of suddenly dashing past someone before they realise what has happened.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Professional