be left at the post
The phrase "be left at the post" originates from horse racing, where a horse fails to start properly and falls behind immediately.
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Definition
B2Sports
(informal, idiomatic)To be beaten from the very beginning of a race or competition.
Example
- The new runner was left at the post, unable to keep up with the seasoned athletes.
B2General
(informal, idiomatic)To be quickly and decisively outperformed or outpaced.
Example
- In the rapidly evolving tech industry, many companies are left at the post if they fail to innovate.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "be left at the post":
stay behindleave behindleave someone holding the baghang behindtake postleave for deadleft outpost offleave overleave alonetake a back seat