The antonyms for the phrase "dashes ahead" would be words that describe a slow, steady, or even backtracking progress. These could include words such as "lagging behind," "trailing," or "falling behind." Other antonyms might include "hesitating," "procrastinating," or "stalling." Rather than rushing forward, these words suggest a more cautious, deliberate approach to progress or decision-making. While dashing ahead may be useful in certain situations, taking a slower approach can often lead to more thoughtful and successful outcomes. Antonyms for "dashes ahead" remind us that sometimes the tortoise really does win the race.