What is the origin of the idiom "leave somebody or something in the dust" and when to use it?

The origin of the phrase can be traced back to the early 20th century when automobiles were becoming more prevalent. When a car would drive down a dirt road, it would kick up a lot of dust behind it. If another vehicle was following too closely, it would be difficult to see through the dust cloud and could get left behind. Therefore, to "leave in the dust" became a popular expression to describe someone or something that was so far ahead that they couldn't even be seen in the dust cloud behind them.

What is the origin of the idiom "leave somebody in the dust" and when to use it?

The idiom "leave somebody in the dust" originated from the literal meaning of leaving someone behind in a cloud of dust while driving away quickly. The phrase became popularized in the 20th century and began to be used metaphorically to describe leaving someone behind in terms of success or achievement. The usage of the idiom implies that the person being left behind is inferior or unable to keep up with the person doing the leaving. Therefore, in modern usage, the idiom is used to describe someone being left behind in terms of progress, advancement, or success, often with a negative connotation of indifference or lack of concern towards the person being left behind.