übertreffen
Translation
to surpass, to exceed, to excel, to outperform
Examples
Seine Leistung übertrifft alle Erwartungen.
His performance surpasses all expectations.
Die Kosten übertreffen das Budget bei weitem.
The costs far exceed the budget.
Grammar Patterns
((sb./sth.)) to surpass sb./sth. His performance surpasses all expectations.
Similar Words
Synonyms: übersteigen (to exceed), überragen (to tower over); Antonyms: unterschreiten (to fall short of)
Etymology
Composed of 'über' (over, above) and 'treffen' (to meet, hit). It literally means 'to hit over' something.
Memory Tips
Picture someone 'hitting' ('treffen') a target that is 'over' ('über') the expected level, thereby surpassing it.