TO GO THE PACE, verb. phr. (common).—To live a fast life; to be extravagant.
c. 1710. STEELE, Tatler [A Dictionary of Slang, Jargon & Cant]. He is the son of a famous racing man, who WENT THE PACE, and cut his throat in Newmarket.
1869. Daily News, 8 Nov. ‘Leader.’ GOING THE PACE and taking a cropper are gradually being admitted into small talk.
1890. Licensed Victuallers’ Gazette, 5 Dec. Fresh from Oxford Arthur had been GOING THE PACE.
ALDERMAN’S PACE, subs. phr. (common).—A slow and stately gait. Fr. pas d’Abbé.
1611. COTGRAVE, Dictionarie, s.v. Abbe. ALDERMAN’S PACE a leasurely walking, slow gate.
1629. GAULE, Holy Madness, 94. What an ALDERMAN’S PACE he comes.
TO SHOW ONE’S PACES, verb. phr. (colloquial).—To exhibit one’s capability; to show what one can do.
