Definition & Meaning of "[beat] {sb} to the draw"

What is the origin of the idiom "beat someone to the draw" and when to use it?

The idiom "beat someone to the draw" has its origin in the American Old West and the concept of a "quick draw." In the Wild West, gunfighters or cowboys would engage in duels or gunfights, and the person who could draw their firearm the fastest had a significant advantage. It was a matter of life and death in those situations. Over time, the concept of a "quick draw" became associated with being the first to act or respond swiftly to gain an advantage, not only in gunfights but in various competitive or time-sensitive contexts. This expression is now used to describe situations where someone acts or responds more quickly or efficiently than another person to achieve a particular goal or gain an advantage.