to left at the post
- idiom
- Informal
:
quedarse atrás
- If you don't act quickly in this business, you may be left at the post by competitors.
Examples
-
The new technology advanced so fast that older companies were left at the post.
-
I always feel left at the post when my friends go out without me.
-
During the reorganization, several employees felt they had been left at the post.
-
Don't feel left at the post during the race!
-
If you don't act quickly in this business, you may be left at the post by competitors.
-
During the reorganization, several employees felt they had been left at the post.
-
The new technology advanced so fast that older companies were left at the post.
Synonyms
314
1.0
Still in a place after other people have gone
119
3.6
Feeling sad because others do not include you
70
2.8
To not keep up with others or a schedule
47
3.0
To fail to keep up with work or a schedule
16
7.4
Left out by a group of people
11
6.5
Stop taking part or trying because of problems
2
7.4
Not get noticed or dealt with
2
3.2
To fall behind others because you move or work more slowly
Not cared for or looked after so it becomes damaged
Antonyms
How Far
- Informal
46
4.1
2
3.2
2
3.5
91
2.2
Surface Forms
Morphology
The literal meanings of 'left' (abandoned) and 'post' (an upright stake) give a partial clue, but the idiomatic sense — being left behind at the start (from racing: the starting post) — depends on cultural/situational knowledge of 'post' as a start marker. A B1 learner who knows the words might guess a location-related meaning but would not reliably infer the specific idiomatic sense without prior exposure, so the expression is only partly transparent.
Etymology
Left at the post comes from old horse races: a horse standing by the starting post that fails to start is left there while the others run off. So, it now means 'to be left behind or neglected', especially at the start of something.