Overtake vs. Undertake — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 28, 2024
Overtake refers to catching up with and passing something, while undertake means to commit oneself to begin a task or responsibility.
Difference Between Overtake and Undertake
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Overtaking involves catching up to and going beyond something in motion, such as when one vehicle passes another on the road. This action implies a comparative speed where the overtaking object or person becomes faster than the one being overtaken. It's a term commonly used in contexts of travel and racing, signifying a change in position or ranking. Whereas, undertaking is the action of committing to start something, such as a project, task, or obligation. It denotes the acceptance of a responsibility or challenge and is often used in professional, academic, and personal contexts to describe the initiation of efforts toward a specific goal or objective.
When you overtake another car on the highway, you accelerate until you are ahead of it, reflecting a physical action that changes your relative positions. Undertaking, on the other hand, involves a decision-making process and the beginning steps of an action or series of actions toward completing a job, task, or project. While overtaking is about movement and position in space, undertaking is about the inception of an endeavor or commitment.
Overtaking requires awareness of one's surroundings and often a calculation of speed and distance to safely move ahead of another entity. This concept is not limited to physical movement; it can also apply metaphorically to situations where one entity surpasses another in terms of achievements, sales, or growth. In contrast, undertaking is more introspective and preparatory, involving planning, commitment, and the start of a process. It is about taking on responsibilities or challenges and moving forward with a plan or agreement.
In the realm of driving, overtaking is a maneuver that must be executed with caution to avoid accidents, indicating a physical action governed by traffic laws and safety considerations. Undertaking, especially in a business or project management context, involves strategic planning and execution, highlighting the mental and organizational efforts required to embark on new ventures or responsibilities.
Both overtaking and undertaking are dynamic processes, but they operate in different dimensions. Overtaking is a spatial and often competitive action, whereas undertaking is a procedural or strategic action, focusing on the initiation of efforts and responsibilities. While the former is measured by physical displacement and speed, the latter is gauged by commitment, planning, and the beginning phases of action.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
To catch up with and pass something.
To commit oneself to begin a task or responsibility.
Context
Travel, racing, any scenario involving movement.
Professional, academic, personal projects or responsibilities.
Focus
Speed, position change, and movement.
Commitment, planning, and initiation of action.
Usage
Physical and metaphorical contexts of surpassing.
Starting new endeavors, tasks, or agreements.
Implications
Requires calculation and awareness for safe execution.
Involves strategic planning and acceptance of challenges.
Compare with Definitions
Overtake
Moving ahead of someone or something.
The runner overtook her competitors one by one.
Undertake
Committing to start a new project or task.
The team decided to undertake a challenging research project.
Overtake
Passing another vehicle on the road.
She overtook the slow-moving truck on the highway with caution.
Undertake
Accepting responsibility or a challenge.
He undertook the responsibility of leading the charity event.
Overtake
Surpassing in terms of achievements or growth.
His sales figures overtook those of his colleagues by the end of the quarter.
Undertake
Beginning an endeavor with a specific aim.
They undertook a journey across the continent for awareness.
Overtake
Catching up and going beyond.
The new tech startup quickly overtook established companies in innovation.
Undertake
Initiating steps toward a goal.
The committee undertook measures to improve the company's sustainability efforts.
Overtake
To surpass something in movement.
The cyclist managed to overtake the lead in the final stretch of the race.
Undertake
Engaging in a process or action.
The author undertook the writing of her next novel with enthusiasm.
Overtake
To catch up with; draw even or level with.
Undertake
To take upon one's self, or assume, any business, duty, or province.
O Lord, I am oppressed; undertake for me.
Overtake
To pass after catching up with.
Undertake
Accept as a charge
Overtake
To come upon unexpectedly; take by surprise
Geopolitical strategists who were overtaken by events in southeast Asia.
Undertake
To deliberately begin to do (something)
Undertake a task.
Overtake
To pass a slower moving object or entity (on the side closest to oncoming traffic).
The racehorse overtook the lead pack on the last turn.
The car was so slow we were overtaken by a bus.
Undertake (to pass a slower moving vehicle on the curbside)
Undertake
To pledge or commit oneself (to do something)
Undertake to care for an elderly relative.
Overtake
(economics) To become greater than something else
Undertake
To promise or guarantee
"The man undertook that one room at least should be ready for occupation the next day" (Thomas Hardy).
Overtake
To occur unexpectedly; take by surprise; surprise and overcome; carry away
Our plans were overtaken by events.
Undertake
To make oneself responsible. Used with for.
Overtake
An act of overtaking; an overtaking maneuver.
There wasn't enough distance left before the bend for an overtake, so I had to trundle behind the tractor for another mile.
Undertake
(transitive) To take upon oneself; to start, to embark on (a specific task etc.).
Overtake
To come up with in a race, pursuit, progress, or motion;
Follow after the men; and when thou dost overtake them, say . . . Wherefore have ye rewarded evil for good.
He had him overtaken in his flight.
Undertake
(intransitive) To commit oneself (to an obligation, activity etc.).
He undertook to exercise more in future.
Overtake
To surpass in production, achievement, etc.; as, although out of school for half a year due to illness, the student returned and overtook all the others to finish as valedictorian.
Undertake
To pass a slower moving vehicle on the curbside rather than on the side closest to oncoming traffic.
Overtake
To come upon from behind; to discover; to surprise; to capture; to overcome.
If a man be overtaken in a fault.
I shall seeThe winged vengeance overtake such children.
Undertake
To pledge; to assert, assure; to dare say.
Overtake
Hence, figuratively, in the past participle (overtaken), drunken.
Undertake
To take by trickery; to trap, to seize upon.
Overtake
To frustrate or render impossible or irrelevant; - used mostly of plans, and commonly in the phrase overtaken by events; as, their careful marketing plan was overtaken by events.
Undertake
(obsolete) To assume, as a character; to take on.
Overtake
Catch up with and possibly overtake;
The Rolls Royce caught us near the exit ramp
Undertake
(obsolete) To engage with; to attack, take on in a fight.
Overtake
Travel past;
The sports car passed all the trucks
Undertake
(obsolete) To have knowledge of; to hear.
Overtake
Overcome, as with emotions or perceptual stimuli
Undertake
(obsolete) To have or take charge of.
Undertake
The passing of slower traffic on the curbside rather than on the side closest to oncoming traffic.
Undertake
To take upon one's self; to engage in; to enter upon; to take in hand; to begin to perform; to set about; to attempt.
To second, or oppose, or undertakeThe perilous attempt.
Undertake
Specifically, to take upon one's self solemnly or expressly; to lay one's self under obligation, or to enter into stipulations, to perform or to execute; to covenant; to contract.
I 'll undertake to land them on our coast.
Undertake
Hence, to guarantee; to promise; to affirm.
And he was not right fat, I undertake.
And those two counties I will undertakeYour grace shall well and quietly enjoiy.
I dare undertake they will not lose their labor.
Undertake
To assume, as a character.
Undertake
To engage with; to attack.
It is not fit your lordship should undertake every companion that you give offense to.
Undertake
To have knowledge of; to hear.
Undertake
To take or have the charge of.
Keep well those that ye undertake.
Undertake
To venture; to hazard.
It is the cowish terror of his spiritThat dare not undertake.
Undertake
To give a promise or guarantee; to be surety.
But on mine honor dare I undertakeFor good lord Titus' innocence in all.
Undertake
Enter upon an activity or enterprise
Undertake
Accept as a challenge;
I'll tackle this difficult task
Undertake
Promise to do or accomplish;
Guarantee to free the prisoners
Undertake
Enter into a contractual arrangement
Common Curiosities
Can undertaking refer to starting any type of project?
Yes, undertaking can refer to starting a wide variety of projects, tasks, or responsibilities, across personal, professional, and academic realms.
Is overtaking always related to speed?
While overtaking often involves speed, especially in the context of vehicles, it can also metaphorically refer to surpassing another entity in areas such as growth, achievements, or development.
What are the risks of overtaking on the road?
The risks of overtaking on the road include potential collisions, miscalculating the speed or distance of oncoming traffic, and violating traffic laws, emphasizing the need for caution and awareness.
How does one undertake a responsibility?
One undertakes a responsibility by accepting or committing to it, often involving planning and beginning steps towards fulfilling that obligation or achieving a goal.
What does it mean to overtake in driving?
In driving, to overtake means to pass another vehicle on the road, moving ahead of it by increasing one's speed safely and legally.
How can overtaking be executed safely in a competitive environment?
In a competitive environment, overtaking can be executed safely by thoroughly understanding the dynamics of the competition, recognizing opportunities, maintaining a clear focus on goals, and adhering to ethical standards and practices to ensure fairness and respect among competitors.
How does undertaking a challenge contribute to personal or professional growth?
Undertaking a challenge contributes to personal or professional growth by pushing boundaries, fostering learning and development, enhancing problem-solving and management skills, and building resilience and confidence through overcoming obstacles.
Can undertaking be a collaborative effort?
Yes, undertaking can be a collaborative effort, especially in contexts like projects or initiatives where teams come together to achieve common goals or tackle challenges.
How do overtaking and undertaking relate to progress?
Overtaking relates to progress by moving ahead or surpassing others in a competitive or growth-oriented context, while undertaking is about progressing through the initiation and development of new endeavors or responsibilities.
What is the significance of strategic planning in undertaking a project?
Strategic planning in undertaking a project is crucial as it lays out a roadmap for achieving the project's objectives, helps in resource allocation, identifies potential challenges, and sets a framework for monitoring progress.
What factors should be considered before undertaking a new task?
Before undertaking a new task, one should consider factors such as the scope and objectives of the task, available resources, potential challenges, the timeline for completion, and the impact on current commitments and responsibilities.
Why is awareness of surroundings important while overtaking?
Awareness of surroundings is important while overtaking to ensure safety, avoid collisions, and make informed decisions based on the speed, distance, and behavior of other vehicles or competitors, as well as environmental conditions.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
