zip by

phrasal verb·1 sense·particle by

Usefulness

Meanings

Move past with great speed and energy

Why “by”? Something moves near a point and continues past it.

“Cyclists zipped by on the trail.”

Cyclists raced past us on the trail.

“A delivery rider zipped by the cafe.”

A delivery rider rode past the cafe quickly.

Don't confuse with

Zip by means move past with great speed and energy. Zip up means close something with a zip fastener.

Test yourself

“Cyclists zipped by on the trail.” What does it mean?

Nearby in the meaning map

Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.

zip up

A contrast learners often mix up

Close something with a zip fastener

drive by

Same by pattern: passing

Move past a place in a vehicle

fly by

Same by pattern: passing

Travel past quickly through the air; Of time, pass extremely quickly

pass by

Same by pattern: passing

Move past a point without stopping; Of an opportunity or time, go past without being used

run by

Same by pattern: passing

Move past on foot at speed; Present an idea to someone and ask for their opinion

rush by

Same by pattern: passing

Move past at speed in a hurry

sail by

Same by pattern: passing

Move past gracefully or apparently without effort

slip by

Same by pattern: passing

Pass quietly without being noticed; Of time, pass quietly without being noticed

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