- run
- run1 W1S1 [rʌn] v past tense ran [ræn] past participle run present participle running▬▬▬▬▬▬▬1¦(move quickly using your legs)¦2¦(race)¦3¦(organize/be in charge of )¦4¦(do something/go somewhere quickly)¦5¦(buses/trains etc)¦6¦(computers)¦7¦(machine/engine)¦8¦(tape)¦9¦(newspaper/television)¦10¦(fast/out of control)¦11¦(use a vehicle)¦12¦(take somebody in your car)¦13¦(in an election)¦14¦(something long)¦15¦(move something on a surface)¦16¦(flow)¦17¦(tap)¦18 run a bath19¦(somebody's nose)¦20¦(official papers)¦21¦(play/film)¦22¦(happen)¦23¦(amount/price)¦24¦(story/account etc)¦25 run its course26 something will run and run27¦(thoughts/feelings)¦28 run high29 run somebody's life30 run for cover31¦(colour in clothes)¦32¦(paint/ink)¦33 run a check/test/experiment etc34¦(hole in clothes)¦35 run drugs/guns36 run in the family37 run a temperature/fever38 run a mile39 run late/early/on time40 be running scared41 come running42 run your eyes over/along etc something43 run before you can walk44 run a (red) lightPhrasal verbsrun across somebody/somethingrun after somebody/somethingrun alongrun aroundrun around after somebodyrun around with somebodyrun awayrun away with somebody/somethingrun something by/past somebodyrun downrun somebody/something<=>inrun into somebody/somethingrun offrun off with somebody/somethingrun onrun outrun out on somebodyrun overrun something past somebodyrun roundrun throughrun to somebody/somethingrun up somethingrun up against something/somebodyrun with something▬▬▬▬▬▬▬[: Old English; Origin: rinnan]1.) ¦(MOVE QUICKLY USING YOUR LEGS)¦a)to move very quickly, by moving your legs more quickly than when you walkrun down/up/to/towards etc▪ I ran down the stairs as fast as I could.▪ He was running towards the door.▪ She turned and ran away.▪ The boys ran off into the crowd.run to do sth▪ Several people ran to help her when she fell.▪ The children came running out of the house.▪ Women ran screaming , with children in their arms.▪ Jane struggled free and ran for her life (=ran in order to avoid being killed) .▪ Hurry! Run for it (=run as quickly as possible in order to escape) !▪ He picked up the child and ran like hell .not polite (=ran very quickly, especially in order to escape)b) [T]to run a particular distance▪ Firefighters are to run 500km to raise money for a children's charity.▪ He ran the length of the corridor.2.) ¦(RACE)¦a) [I and T]to run in a race▪ I'd never run a marathon before.run in▪ Murray has said she will consider running in the 3000 metres.b) [T usually passive]if a race is run at a particular time or in a particular place, it happens at that time or in that place▪ The Derby will be run at 3 o'clock.3.) ¦(ORGANIZE/BE IN CHARGE OF )¦ [T]to organize or be in charge of an activity, business, organization, or country▪ For a while, she ran a restaurant in Boston.▪ Many people don't care who runs the country.▪ Courses are currently being run in London and Edinburgh.▪ Many people belong to a pension scheme run by their employers.well/badly run▪ The hotel is well-run and extremely popular.▪ a state-run (=controlled by the government) television station[i]see usage note ↑control24.) ¦(DO SOMETHING/GO SOMEWHERE QUICKLY)¦to do something or go somewhere quickly▪ Run and ask your mother where she's put the keys.run to▪ I need to run to the store for some more milk.5.) ¦(BUSES/TRAINS ETC)¦a) [I]if a bus, train etc service runs, it takes people from one place to another at fixed times▪ The buses don't run on Sundays.run to▪ The number 61 bus runs to the city centre.b) [T]if a company or other organization runs a bus, train etc service, they make it operate▪ They're running special trains to and from the exhibition.6.) ¦(COMPUTERS)¦a) [I]if a computer program runs, it operatesrun on▪ The software will run on any PC.b) [T]if you run a program, you make it operate▪ The RS8 system runs both Unix and MPX-32.7.) ¦(MACHINE/ENGINE)¦a) [I]if a machine or engine runs, it operates▪ She got out of the car and left the engine running.run on electricity/gas/petrol etc(=get its power from electricity etc)▪ Most cars run on unleaded fuel.run off sth(=use something for power)▪ It runs off batteries.b) [T]if you run a machine or engine, you make it operate▪ You shouldn't keep the engine running when the car is standing still.▪ I often run the washing machine more than once a day.8.) ¦(TAPE)¦a) [I usually progressive]if a tape is running, it is recording▪ She didn't realize the tape was running as she spoke.b) [T]if you run a tape, you make it move backwards or forwards▪ Run the tape back to the beginning.9.) ¦(NEWSPAPER/TELEVISION)¦a) [T]to print something in a newspaper or magazine, or broadcast something on television▪ The company is running a series of advertisements in national newspapers.▪ A local TV station ran her story.b) [I]if a program runs on television, it is shown. If a story runs in a newspaper or magazine, it is printed▪ The series ran for 20 episodes and was extremely popular.▪ Conan Doyle's stories ran in 'The Strand' magazine.10.)¦(FAST/OUT OF CONTROL)¦ [I always + adverb/preposition]to move too fast or in an uncontrolled way▪ Her car ran off the road and into a tree.▪ The truck ran out of control and hit a house.11.) ¦(USE A VEHICLE)¦ [T][i]especially BrE to own and use a vehicle▪ I can't afford to run a car.▪ A bicycle is relatively cheap to buy and run.12.) ¦(TAKE SOMEBODY IN YOUR CAR)¦ [T always + adverb/preposition] informalto take someone somewhere in your car= ↑drive▪ Shall I run you home?run sb to sth▪ Let me run you to the station.13.) ¦(IN AN ELECTION)¦[i]especially AmE to try to be elected in an electionBritish Equivalent: standrun for▪ Salinas is running for a second term as President.▪ an attempt to encourage more women to run for officerun against▪ Feinstein will win if she runs against Lungren.14.) ¦(SOMETHING LONG)¦ [I,T always + adverb/preposition]if something long such as a road or wire runs in a particular direction, that is its position, or that is where you put it▪ The road runs along a valley.▪ Developers want to run a road right through his farm.▪ Run the cables under the carpet.▪ The Sierra mountain range runs the length of the north west coast of Majorca.15.) ¦(MOVE SOMETHING ON A SURFACE)¦ [T always + adverb/preposition]to move something lightly along a surface▪ Charles ran his fingers through her hair.▪ Run the scanner over the barcodes.16.) ¦(FLOW)¦ [I always + adverb/preposition]to flow in a particular direction or place▪ Tears started to run down her cheeks.▪ Water was running off the roof.17.) ¦(TAP)¦ [I and T]if a ↑tap is running, water is coming out of it, or if you run a tap, you make water come out of it▪ Did you leave the tap running?▪ He ran the tap until the water was really hot.18.) run a bathto fill a bath with water▪ I could hear her running a bath upstairs.run sb a bath▪ Could you run me a nice hot bath while I finish my meal?19.) ¦(SOMEBODY'S NOSE)¦if someone's nose is running, liquid is flowing out of it20.)¦(OFFICIAL PAPERS)¦ [I]if something runs for a particular length of time, it can officially be used for that time▪ The contract runs for a year.▪ My car insurance only has another month to run.21.) ¦(PLAY/FILM)¦ [I]to continue being performed regularly in one place▪ The play ran for two years.22.) ¦(HAPPEN)¦ [I]to happen in a particular way or at a particular time▪ Andy kept things running smoothly (=happening in the way they should) while I was away.▪ He was given a further three month prison sentence to run concurrently.▪ The course runs over a three year period.23.) ¦(AMOUNT/PRICE)¦ [I]to be at a particular level, amount, or pricerun at▪ Inflation was running at 5%.run to▪ The cost of repairing the damage could run to $5000.24.) ¦(STORY/ACCOUNT ETC)¦ [I and T]if a story, discussion etc runs in a particular way, it has those particular words or events▪ The story runs that someone offered Lynch a further $500.▪ 'President's marriage really over' ran the headline in a national newspaper.25.) run its courseif something runs its course, it continues in the way you expect until it has finished▪ Recession in the country has run its course and left an aftermath of uncertainty.26.) sth will run and run[i]BrE if a subject, discussion, event etc will run and run, people will continue to be interested in it for a long time▪ This a story that will run and run.27.) ¦(THOUGHTS/FEELINGS)¦ [I always + adverb/preposition]if a feeling runs through you, or a thought runs through your mind, you feel it or think it quicklyrun through/down▪ A feeling of excitement ran through her body as they touched.▪ The same thought kept running through his mind.▪ A cold shiver ran down my back.▪ I felt a sharp pain run down my leg.28.) run highif feelings run high, people are very angry, upset, excited etc▪ Tension ran high and fights broke out among the crowd.▪ Feelings have been running high in the town, following the murder of a young girl.29.) run sb's life informalto keep telling someone what they should do all the time, in a way that annoys them▪ Don't try to run my life!30.) run for covera) to run towards a place where you will be safe, especially to avoid bullets▪ He was shot in the leg as he ran for cover.b) to try to protect yourself from a bad situation or from being criticized▪ His success at backing winning horses has had the bookmakers running for cover.31.) ¦(COLOUR IN CLOTHES)¦if colour runs, it spreads from one piece of clothing or one area of cloth to another when the clothes are wet▪ The T-shirt ran and made all my other clothes pink.32.) ¦(PAINT/INK)¦ [I]if paint runs, it moves onto an area where you did not intend it to go33.) run a check/test/experiment etcto arrange for someone or something to be checked or testedrun a check/test/experiment etc on▪ Ask your doctor to run a test on your blood sugar levels.34.) ¦(HOLE IN CLOTHES)¦ [I]if a hole in ↑tights or ↑stockings runs, it gets bigger in a straight line35.) run drugs/gunsto bring drugs or guns into a country illegally in order to sell them36.) run in the familyif something such as a quality, disease, or skill runs in the family, many people in that family have it▪ Diabetes appears to run in families.37.) run a temperature/feverto have a body temperature that is higher than normal, because you are ill38.) run a mile [i]informalto try very hard to avoid a particular situation or person because you do not want to deal with them▪ If someone asked me to marry them, I'd probably run a mile.39.) run late/early/on timeto arrive, go somewhere, or do something late, early, or at the right time▪ I'm running late, so I'll talk to you later.▪ If the train runs on time, we'll be there by ten.40.) be running scaredto feel worried because someone who you are competing against is becoming very successful or powerful▪ The party are running scared.41.) come runninga) informal to react in a very eager way when someone asks or tells you to do something▪ He thinks he's only got to look at me and I'll come running.b) especially spoken to ask someone for help, advice, or sympathy when you have a problemcome running to▪ Well I warned you, so don't come running to me when it all goes wrong!42.) run your eyes over/along etc sthto look quickly at something▪ He ran his eyes along the books on the shelf.43.) run before you can walkto try to do something difficult before you have learned the basic skills you need▪ A lot of language students want to run before they can walk.44.) run a (red) light informalto drive quickly through a red traffic light instead of stopping→↑running1run across / [run across sb/sth] phr vto meet someone or find something by chance▪ I ran across him at a conference in Milan.▪ I ran across some old love letters while I was clearing out a cupboard.run after / [run after sb/sth] phr v1.) to chase someone or something▪ He ran after her, calling her name.2.) informal to try to start a sexual relationship with someone▪ He's always running after younger women.3.) spoken to do a lot of things for someone else as though you were their servant▪ I can't keep running after you all day!run along phr vused to tell a child to leave, or to tell someone that you must leave▪ Run along now! I've got work to finish.▪ Oh, it's late. I'd better be running along.run around phr v1.) to run in an area while you are playing▪ The children were running around in the garden.2.) informal to be very busy doing many small jobs▪ Maria was running around trying to get the house tidy.▪ We were all running around like headless chickens (=trying to do a lot of things, in an anxious or disorganized way) .run around after [run around after sb] phr vto do a lot of things for someone else as though you were their servant▪ I've spent all day running around after the kids.run around with [run around with sb] phr vto spend a lot of time with someone, especially someone that other people disapprove of▪ He started running around with a gang of teenagers.run away phr v1.) to leave a place, especially secretly, in order to escape from someone or somethingrun away from▪ Toby ran away from home at the age of 14.→↑runaway22.) to try to avoid dealing with a problem or difficult situationrun away from▪ You can't just run away from your responsibilities.3.) to secretly go away with someone in order to marry them or live with them▪ They ran away together to get married.run away with / [run away with sb/sth] phr v1.) to secretly go away with someone in order to marry them or live with them - usually used to show disapproval▪ His wife has run away with another man.2.) run away with youif your feelings, ideas etc run away with you, they start to control how you behave▪ Don't let your imagination run away with you!3.) your tongue runs away with youif your tongue runs away with you, you say something that you did not intend to say4.) run away with the idea/impression (that)spoken to think that something is true when it is not▪ Don't run away with the impression that he doesn't care.5.) informal to win a competition or sports game very easily▪ The Reds ran away with the championship.run by/past [run sth by/past sb] phr v1.) to tell someone something so that they can give you their opinion▪ Let me run some figures by you.▪ I just wanted to run it past you and see what you thought.2.) run that by me againspoken used to ask someone to repeat what they have just said because you did not completely understand itrun down phr v1.) run sb/sth<=>downto drive into a person or animal and kill or injure them▪ Their daughter was run down by a car.2.) run sb/sth<=>down informalto criticize someone or something in a way that is unfair▪ There's a lot of good things about homeopathic treatment. I'm certainly not running it down.3.) if a clock, machine, ↑battery etc runs down, it has no more power and stops working4.) to make a company, organization etc gradually reduce in size, especially in order to close it in the future, or to gradually reduce in sizerun sth<=>down▪ Many smaller local hospitals are being run down.▪ The business had been running down for a long time.5.) if a supply of something runs down, or if you run it down, there gradually becomes less of it▪ Crude oil reserves are running down.run sth<=>down▪ Electricity generating companies are running down stocks and cutting purchases.6.) run down sthto read a list of people or things▪ Let me just run down the list of people who've been invited.7.) run sb/sth downto find someone or something after searching for a long time▪ I finally ran him down at his new office in Glendale.run in [run sb/sth<=>in] phr v1.) to drive a new car slowly and carefully for a period of time so you do not damage its engine2.) old-fashioned if the police run a criminal in, they catch him or herrun into / [run into sb/sth] phr v1.) to start to experience a difficult or unpleasant situation▪ He ran into criticism after remarks he made in a television interview.run into trouble/problems/difficulties▪ The business ran into financial difficulties almost immediately.2.) run into hundreds/thousands etcto reach an amount of several hundred, several thousand etc▪ The cost of repairing the damage could run into millions.▪ The list ran into hundreds of pages.3.) to hit someone or something with a vehicle= crash into▪ He ran into the back of another car.4.) informal to meet someone by chance▪ Guess who I ran into in town today!run off phr v1.) to leave a place or person in a way that people disapprove of▪ Amy's husband had run off and left her with two children to bring up.2.) run sth<=>offto quickly print several copies of something▪ I'll run off a few more copies before the meeting.3.) run sb off sthto force someone to leave a place▪ Someone tried to run me off the road.▪ Smith had run them off his property with a rifle.4.) run sth<=>offto write a speech, poem, piece of music etc quickly and easily▪ He could run off a five-page essay in an hour.5.) run off at the mouthAmE informal to talk too much6.) run sth<=>offto get rid of weight by running▪ I'm trying to run off some of my excess fat!run off with / [run off with sb/sth] phr v1.) to secretly go away with someone in order to marry them or live with them - used to show disapproval▪ Liz shocked us all by running off with a married man.2.) to steal something and go away▪ a con-man who makes a habit of running off with people's savingsrun on phr vto continue happening for longer than expected or planned▪ These things always run on longer than people imagine.run out phr v1.)a) to use all of something and not have any more left▪ I've got some money you can borrow if you run out.run out of▪ They ran out of money and had to abandon the project.▪ He'd run out of ideas.b) if something is running out, there will soon be none left▪ We must act quickly because time is running out.▪ My patience was running out.▪ His luck had run out (=there was none left) .2.) if an agreement, official document etc runs out, the period for which it is legal or has an effect ends= ↑expire▪ My contract runs out in September.3.) run out of steaminformal also run out of gas AmEto have no more energy or no longer be interested in what you are doing▪ The team seemed to have run out of gas.4.) run sb out of townold-fashioned to force someone to leave a place, because they have done something wrong5.) run sb<=>outto end a player's ↑innings in the game of ↑cricket by hitting the ↑stumps with the ball while they are runningrun out on [run out on sb] phr vto leave someone when they are in a difficult situation - used to show disapproval▪ He ran out on her when she became pregnant.run over phr v1.) run sb/sth<=>overto hit someone or something with a vehicle, and drive over them▪ He was run over and killed by a bus.▪ She got run over outside the school.2.) run over sthto think about something▪ Mark's mind raced, running over all the possibilities.3.) run over sthto explain or practise something quickly▪ I'll just run over the main points again.4.) run over (sth)to continue happening for longer than planned▪ The meeting ran over.▪ The talks have run over the 15 November deadline.5.) if a container runs over, there is so much liquid inside that some flows out= ↑overflowrun past [run sth past sb] phr vto ↑run something ↑by someonerun round phr vto run aroundrun through phr v1.) run through sthto repeat something in order to practise it or make sure it is correct▪ Let's run through the first scene again.2.) run through sthto read, look at, or explain something quickly▪ Briefly, she ran through details of the morning's events.3.) run through sthif a quality, feature etc runs through something, it is present in all of that thing▪ This theme runs through the whole book.4.) run sb throughliterary to push a sword completely through someonerun to / [run to sb/sth] phr v1.) to reach a particular amount▪ The cost of repairing the damage could run to $1 million.▪ The treaty ran to 248 pages.2.) [usually in negatives] BrEto be or have enough money to pay for something▪ Our budget won't run to replacing all the computers.3.) to ask someone to help or protect you▪ You can't keep running to your parents every time you have a problem.4.) sb's taste runs to sthif someone's taste runs to something, that is what they like▪ His taste ran to action movies and thrillers.run up [run up sth] phr v1.) run up a debt/bill etcto use so much of something, or borrow so much money, that you owe a lot of money▪ She ran up an enormous phone bill.2.) to achieve a particular score or position in a game or competition▪ He quickly ran up a big lead in the polls.3.) run sth<=>upto make something, especially clothes, very quickly▪ She can run up a dress in an evening.4.) run sth<=>upto raise a flag on a polerun up against / [run up against sth/sb] phr vto have to deal with unexpected problems or a difficult opponent▪ The museum has run up against opposition to its proposals.run with [run with sth] phr vto be covered with a liquid that is flowing down▪ His face was running with blood.▬▬▬▬▬▬▬WORD FOCUS: runfor exercise: jogvery quickly because you are in a hurry: dash, tear, sprint▬▬▬▬▬▬▬run 2run2 W2S2 n▬▬▬▬▬▬▬1¦(on foot)¦2 in the long run3 in the short run4 the usual/normal/general run of something5¦(series)¦6¦(amount produced)¦7 be on the run8 do something on the run9 make a run for it10 the run of something11 a run on something12 give somebody a (good) run for their money13 have a (good) run for your money14¦(illness)¦15¦(play/film)¦16¦(journey)¦17¦(for animals)¦18¦(sport)¦19¦(winter sports)¦20¦(election)¦21¦(in clothes)¦22¦(music)¦23¦(card games)¦▬▬▬▬▬▬▬1.) ¦(ON FOOT)¦a period of time spent running, or a distance that you run▪ a five-mile run▪ She usually goes for a run before breakfast.▪ He was still following me, and in a panic I broke into a run .at a run▪ Sarah left the house at a run.2.) in the long runlater in the future, not immediately▪ Moving to Spain will be better for you in the long run.3.) in the short runin the near future▪ Sufficient supply, in the short run, will be a problem.4.) the usual/normal/general run of sththe usual type of something▪ The place was very different from the normal run of street cafes.5.) ¦(SERIES)¦ [C usually singular]a series of successes or failures▪ an unbeaten run of 19 gamesrun of good/bad luck▪ Losing my job was the start of a run of bad luck that year.a run of defeats/victories etc▪ His extraordinary run of successes has been stopped.6.) ¦(AMOUNT PRODUCED)¦an amount of a product produced at one time▪ a limited run of 200 copies7.) be on the runa) to be trying to escape or hide, especially from the policebe on the run from▪ wanted criminals on the run from policeb) if an army or opponent is on the run, they will soon be defeatedc) to be very busy and continuously rushing about▪ Typical of stress is this feeling of being continuously on the run.8.) do sth on the runto do something while you are on your way somewhere or doing something else▪ I always seem to eat on the run these days.9.) make a run for itto suddenly start running, in order to escape10.) the run of sthif you have the run of a place, you are allowed to go anywhere and do anything in it▪ We had the run of the house for the afternoon.11.) a run on stha) a situation in which lots of people suddenly buy a particular product→↑rush▪ There's always a run on roses before Valentine's Day.b) a run on the dollar/pound etca situation in which lots of people sell dollars etc and the value goes downc) a run on the bankan occasion when a lot of people take their money out of a bank at the same time12.) give sb a (good) run for their moneyto make your opponent in a competition use all their skill and effort to defeat you▪ They've given some of the top teams a run for their money this season.13.) have a (good) run for your money informalto succeed in doing something successfully for a long time▪ Investors have also had a good run for their money.14.) ¦(ILLNESS)¦15.) ¦(PLAY/FILM)¦a continuous series of performances of a play, film etc in the same place▪ His first play had a three-month run in the West End.16.) ¦(JOURNEY)¦ [singular]a) a journey by train, ship, truck etc made regularly between two places▪ It's only a 55-minute run from London to Brighton.▪ the daily school run (=the journey that parents make each day taking their children to and from school) BrEb) informal a short journey in a car, for pleasure▪ Let's take the car out for a run.17.) ¦(FOR ANIMALS)¦an enclosed area where animals such as chickens or rabbits are kept▪ a chicken run18.) ¦(SPORT)¦a point won in ↑cricket or baseball▪ Jones made 32 runs this afternoon.19.) ¦(WINTER SPORTS)¦▪ a ski run20.)¦(ELECTION)¦ [C usually singular]American English an attempt to be elected to an important positionrun for▪ He is preparing a run for the presidency.21.) ¦(IN CLOTHES)¦ AmEa line of torn stitches in ↑tights or ↑stockingsBritish Equivalent: ladder22.) ¦(MUSIC)¦a set of notes played or sung quickly up or down a ↑scale in a piece of music23.) ¦(CARD GAMES)¦a set of cards with numbers in a series, held by one player
Dictionary of contemporary English. 2013.