- catch up from behind; Latecomers become the first.; latecomers getting ahead of others; New comers are promoted over the heads of his seniors.; New comers gain the upper hand on the old.; Successors excel the predecessors.; The backward caught up with the advanced.; The latecomers surpass the early starters.; The newcomer has outdone the old hands.; The younger generation outstrips the old.; those from behind catching up and surpassing those in front; Those who come late somehow get to the forefront.