pace oneself Definition

pace¹
noun

1. A single step.

Thesaurus: step, stride.
2. The distance covered by one step when walking, about 80cm.
3. Rate of walking or running, etc.

Example: at a slow pace
Thesaurus: walk, step, stride.
4. Rate of movement or progress.

Example: can't stand the pace
Example: at your own pace
Thesaurus: speed, velocity, rate, tempo, momentum, time.
5. Any of the gaits used by a horse.
6. A way of stepping, sometimes developed in horses, in which the legs on the same side are lifted together.

verb paced, pacing

tr & intr
1. To keep walking about, in a preoccupied or frustrated way.

Example: was pacing about all morning
Example: began to pace the floor
Form: pace about (often)
Form: pace around
intr
2. To walk steadily.

Thesaurus: walk, stride, tread, trot, canter, gallop.
3. To set the pace for (others) in a race, etc.

Idiom: go through one's paces (show one's paces)

To demonstrate one's skills at something.

Idiom: keep pace with someone

To go as fast as them.

Idiom: pace oneself

To work at a constant rate with the aim of achieving a particular goal, particularly when under pressure.

Idiom: put someone through their paces

To test them in some activity.
Thesaurus: try, test, examine, audition, try out.

Idiom: set the pace

To be ahead of, and so set the rate for, others.

Etymology: 14c: from French pas step, from Latin passus step, literally ‘stretch (of the leg)'.

Phrasal Verb: pace something out

To measure out (a distance) in paces.