run
♦♦♦ run /r'ʌn/ (runs running ran)
The form run is used in the present tense and is also the past participle of the verb.
1 [VERB] V adv/prep, V n/amount, V
When you run, you move more quickly than when you walk, for example because you are in a hurry to get somewhere, or for exercise.
I excused myself and ran back to the telephone...
He ran the last block to the White House with two cases of gear...
Antonia ran to meet them.
[N-COUNT] usu sing
Run is also a noun.
After a six-mile run, Jackie returns home for a substantial breakfast.
2 [VERB] V, V n
When someone runs in a race, they run in competition with other people.
...when I was running in the New York Marathon...
Phyllis Smith ran a controlled race to qualify in 51.32 sec.
3 [VERB] V, V n
When a horse runs in a race or when its owner runs it, it competes in a race.
The owner insisted on Cool Ground running in the Gold Cup...
If we have a wet spell, Cecil could also run Armiger in the Derby.
4 [VERB] V prep/adv
If you say that something long, such as a road, runs in a particular direction, you are describing its course or position. You can also say that something runs the length or width of something else.
...the sun-dappled trail which ran through the beech woods.
5 [VERB] V n prep/adv
If you run a wire or tube somewhere, you fix it or pull it from, to, or across a particular place.
Our host ran a long extension cord out from the house and set up a screen and a projector.
6 [VERB] V n prep
If you run your hand or an object through something, you move your hand or the object through it.
He laughed and ran his fingers through his hair...
7 [VERB] V n through n
If you run something through a machine, process, or series of tests, you make it go through the machine, process, or tests.
They have gathered the best statistics they can find and run them through their own computers.
8 [VERB] V for n, V against n, V
If someone runs for office in an election, they take part as a candidate.
It was only last February that he announced he would run for president...
It is no easy job to run against John Glenn, Ohio's Democratic senator...
Women are running in nearly all the contested seats in Los Angeles.
= stand
9 [N-SING] N for n
A run for office is an attempt to be elected to office. (mainly AM; in BRIT, usually use bid)
He was already preparing his run for the presidency.
10 [VERB] V n, V n, V-ed
If you run something such as a business or an activity, you are in charge of it or you organize it.
His stepfather ran a prosperous paint business...
Is this any way to run a country?...
...a well-run, profitable organisation.
11 [VERB] usu cont, V adv, V
If you talk about how a system, an organization, or someone's life is running, you are saying how well it is operating or progressing.
Officials in charge of the camps say the system is now running extremely smoothly.
...the staff who have kept the bank running.
12 [VERB] V n, V
If you run an experiment, computer program, or other process, or start it running, you start it and let it continue.
He ran a lot of tests and it turned out I had an infection called mycoplasma...
You can check your program one command at a time while it's running.
13 [VERB] V n, V
When you run a cassette or video tape or when it runs, it moves through the machine as the machine operates.
He pushed the play button again and ran the tape...
The tape had run to the end but recorded nothing.
= play
14 [VERB] usu cont, V, V n
When a machine is running or when you are running it, it is switched on and is working.
We told him to wait out front with the engine running.
...with everybody running their appliances all at the same time.
15 [VERB] V on/off n
A machine or equipment that runs on or off a particular source of energy functions using that source of energy.
Black cabs run on diesel...
16 [VERB] V n
If you run a car or a piece of equipment, you have it and use it. (mainly BRIT)
I ran a 1960 Rover 100 from 1977 until 1983.
17 [VERB] V prep, V
When you say that vehicles such as trains and buses run from one place to another, you mean they regularly travel along that route.
A shuttle bus runs frequently between the Inn and the Country Club.
...a government which can't make the trains run on time.
18 [VERB] V n prep/adv
If you run someone somewhere in a car, you drive them there. (INFORMAL)
Could you run me up to Baltimore?
= drive
19 [VERB] V adv
If you run over or down to a place that is quite near, you drive there. (INFORMAL)
I'll run over to Short Mountain and check on Mrs Adams.
= drive
20 [N-COUNT]
A run is a journey somewhere.
...doing the morning school run.
21 [VERB] V prep/adv, V adj
If a liquid runs in a particular direction, it flows in that direction.
Tears were running down her cheeks...
Wash the rice in cold water until the water runs clear.
= flow
22 [VERB] V n
If you run water, or if you run a tap or a bath, you cause water to flow from a tap.
She went to the sink and ran water into her empty glass...
23 [VERB] only cont, V
If a tap or a bath is running, water is coming out of a tap.
You must have left a tap running in the bathroom...
24 [VERB] usu cont, V
If your nose is running, liquid is flowing out of it, usually because you have a cold.
Timothy was crying, mostly from exhaustion, and his nose was running.
25 [VERB] usu cont, V with n
If a surface is running with a liquid, that liquid is flowing down it.
After an hour he realised he was completely running with sweat...
26 [VERB] V
If the dye in some cloth or the ink on some paper runs, it comes off or spreads when the cloth or paper gets wet.
The ink had run on the wet paper.
27 [VERB] V through n
If a feeling runs through your body or a thought runs through your mind, you experience it or think it quickly.
She felt a surge of excitement run through her...
= go
28 [VERB] V through n
If a feeling or noise runs through a group of people, it spreads among them.
A buzz of excitement ran through the crowd.
= go
29 [VERB] V through n, V throughout n
If a theme or feature runs through something such as someone's actions or writing, it is present in all of it.
Another thread running through this series is the role of doctors in the treatment of the mentally ill...
There was something of this mood running throughout the Congress's deliberations.
30 [VERB] V n, V
When newspapers or magazines run a particular item or story or if it runs, it is published or printed.
The newspaper ran a series of four editorials entitled `The Choice of Our Lives.'
...an editorial that ran this weekend entitled `Mr. Cuomo Backs Out.'
31 [VERB] V at n
If an amount is running at a particular level, it is at that level.
Today's RPI figure shows inflation running at 10.9 per cent...
= stand
32 [VERB] V for amount, V prep, V
If a play, event, or legal contract runs for a particular period of time, it lasts for that period of time.
It pleased critics but ran for only three years in the West End...
The contract was to run from 1992 to 2020...
I predict it will run and run.
33 [VERB] usu cont, V adv/prep
If someone or something is running late, they have taken more time than had been planned. If they are running to time or ahead of time, they have taken the time planned or less than the time planned.
Tell her I'll call her back later, I'm running late again...
34 [VERB] V n
If you are running a temperature or a fever, you have a high temperature because you are ill.
The little girl is running a fever and she needs help.
35 [N-COUNT] with supp
A run of a play or television programme is the period of time during which performances are given or programmes are shown.
The show will transfer to the West End on October 9, after a month's run in Birmingham...
36 [N-SING] usu N of n
A run of successes or failures is a series of successes or failures.
The England skipper is haunted by a run of low scores...
37 [N-COUNT] usu supp N
A run of a product is the amount that a company or factory decides to produce at one time.
Wayne plans to increase the print run to 1,000...
38 [N-COUNT]
In cricket or baseball, a run is a score of one, which is made by players running between marked places on the field after hitting the ball.
At 20 he became the youngest player to score 2,000 runs in a season.
39 [N-SING] the N of n
If someone gives you the run of a place, they give you permission to go where you like in it and use it as you wish.
He had the run of the house and the pool.
40 [N-SING] N on n
If there is a run on something, a lot of people want to buy it or get it at the same time.
A run on sterling has killed off hopes of a rate cut...
41 [N-COUNT] usu n N
A ski run or bobsleigh run is a course or route that has been designed for skiing or for riding in a bobsleigh.
42
see also running, dummy run, trial run, trial run
43 [PHRASE]
If something happens against the run of play or against the run of events, it is different from what is generally happening in a game or situation. (BRIT)
The decisive goal arrived against the run of play...
44 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you run someone close, run them a close second, or run a close second, you almost beat them in a race or competition.
The Under-21 team has defeated Wales and Scotland this season, and ran England very close...
45 [PHRASE] V inflects
If a river or well runs dry, it no longer has any water in it. If an oil well runs dry, it no longer produces any oil.
Streams had run dry for the first time in memory.
= dry up
46 [PHRASE] V inflects
If a source of information or money runs dry, no more information or money can be obtained from it.
Three days into production, the kitty had run dry.
= dry up
47 [PHRASE] V inflects
If a characteristic runs in someone's family, it often occurs in members of that family, in different generations.
The insanity which ran in his family haunted him.
48 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you make a run for it or if you run for it, you run away in order to escape from someone or something.
A helicopter hovered overhead as one of the gang made a run for it...
49 [PHRASE] V inflects
If people's feelings are running high, they are very angry, concerned, or excited.
Feelings there have been running high in the wake of last week's killing.
50 [PHRASE] PHR with cl, PHR with v
If you talk about what will happen in the long run, you are saying what you think will happen over a long period of time in the future. If you talk about what will happen in the short run, you are saying what you think will happen in the near future.
Sometimes expensive drugs or other treatments can be economical in the long run...
In fact, things could get worse in the short run.
51 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you say that someone would run a mile if faced with something, you mean that they are very frightened of it and would try to avoid it.
Yasmin admits she would run a mile if Mark asked her out.
52 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you say that someone could give someone else a run for their money, you mean you think they are almost as good as the other person.
...a youngster who even now could give Meryl Streep a run for her money.
53 [PHRASE] v-link PHR, PHR after v
If someone is on the run, they are trying to escape or hide from someone such as the police or an enemy.
Fifteen-year-old Danny is on the run from a local authority home.
54 [PHRASE] usu v-link PHR
If someone is on the run, they are being severely defeated in a contest or competition.
His opponents believe he is definitely on the run...
55 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you say that a person or group is running scared, you mean that they are frightened of what someone might do to them or what might happen.
The administration is running scared.
56 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you are running short of something or running low on something, you do not have much of it left. If a supply of something is running short or running low, there is not much of it left.
Government forces are running short of ammunition and fuel...
We are running low on drinking water...
57
to run amok: see amok
to make your blood run cold: see blood
to run counter to something: see counter
to run its course: see course
to run deep: see deep
to run an errand: see errand
to run the gamut of something: see gamut
to run the gauntlet: see gauntlet
to run rings around someone: see ring
to run riot: see riot
to run a risk: see risk
to run to seed: see seed
to run wild: see wilddry run (dry runs)
[N-COUNT] oft N for n
If you have a dry run, you practise something to make sure that you are ready to do it properly.
The competition is planned as a dry run for the World Cup finals.dum|my run (dummy runs)
[N-COUNT]
A dummy run is a trial or test procedure which is carried out in order to see if a plan or process works properly. (BRIT)
Before we started we did a dummy run.
= test runfun run (fun runs)
[N-COUNT]
A fun run is a long distance race which anyone can take part in. Fun runs are often held to raise money for charity. (BRIT, AUSTRALIAN)print run (print runs)
[N-COUNT] usu with supp, supp N, N of n
In publishing, a print run of something such as a book or a newspaper is the number of copies of it that are printed and published at one time.
It was launched last year in paperback with an initial print run of 7,000 copies.rat run (rat runs)
[N-COUNT]
A rat run is a small street which drivers use during busy times in order to avoid heavy traffic on the main roads. (BRIT INFORMAL)run across
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n
If you run across someone or something, you meet them or find them unexpectedly.
We ran across some old friends in the village.
= come acrossrun after
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n
If you are running after someone, you are trying to start a relationship with them, usually a sexual relationship.
By the time she was fifteen Maria was already running after men twice her age.run around
[PHRASAL VERB] V P, V P after/with n, V P n (not pron)
If you run around, you go to a lot of places and do a lot of things, often in a rushed or disorganized way.
No one noticed we had been running around emptying bins and cleaning up...
I spend all day running around after the family...
I will not have you running around the countryside without my authority.run away
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P from n, V P, V P to n
If you run away from a place, you leave it because you are unhappy there.
I ran away from home when I was sixteen...
After his beating Colin ran away and hasn't been heard of since...
Three years ago I ran away to Mexico to live with a circus.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P with n, pl-n V P together
If you run away with someone, you secretly go away with them in order to live with them or marry them.
She ran away with a man called McTavish last year...
He and I were always planning to run away together.
= run off
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P from n, V P
If you run away from something unpleasant or new, you try to avoid dealing with it or thinking about it.
They run away from the problem, hoping it will disappear of its own accord...
You can't run away for ever.
4
see also runawayrun by
[PHRASAL VERB] V n P n
If you run something by someone, you tell them about it or mention it, to see if they think it is a good idea, or can understand it.
Run that by me again.run down
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V P n (not pron)
If you run people or things down, you criticize them strongly.
He last night denounced the British `genius for running ourselves down'.
...that chap who was running down state schools.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron)
If people run down an industry or an organization, they deliberately reduce its size or the amount of work that it does. (mainly BRIT)
The government is cynically running down Sweden's welfare system...
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron)
If someone runs down an amount of something, they reduce it or allow it to decrease. (mainly BRIT)
But the survey also revealed firms were running down stocks instead of making new products...
4 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P
If a vehicle or its driver runs someone down, the vehicle hits them and injures them.
Lozano claimed that motorcycle driver Clement Lloyd was trying to run him down.
= knock down, run over
5 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
If a machine or device runs down, it gradually loses power or works more slowly.
The batteries are running down.
6
see also run-downrun into
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron)
If you run into problems or difficulties, you unexpectedly begin to experience them.
They agreed to sell last year after they ran into financial problems...
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n
If you run into someone, you meet them unexpectedly.
He ran into Krettner in the corridor a few minutes later.
= meet, bump into
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n
If a vehicle runs into something, it accidentally hits it.
The driver failed to negotiate a bend and ran into a tree.
4 [PHRASAL VERB] V P amount
You use run into when indicating that the cost or amount of something is very great.
He said companies should face punitive civil penalties running into millions of pounds.run off
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P with n, pl-n V P together
If you run off with someone, you secretly go away with them in order to live with them or marry them.
The last thing I'm going to do is run off with somebody's husband...
We could run off together, but neither of us wants to live the rest of our lives abroad.
= run away
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron)
If you run off copies of a piece of writing, you produce them using a machine.
If you want to run off a copy sometime today, you're welcome to.run out
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P of n, V P
If you run out of something, you have no more of it left.
They have run out of ideas...
We had lots before but now we've run out.
to run out of steam: see steam
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
If something runs out, it becomes used up so that there is no more left.
Conditions are getting worse and supplies are running out...
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
When a legal document runs out, it stops being valid.
When the lease ran out the family moved to Campigny.
= expirerun over
[PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V P n
If a vehicle or its driver runs a person or animal over, it knocks them down or drives over them.
You can always run him over and make it look like an accident...
He ran over a six-year-old child as he was driving back from a party.
= knock down, run downrun past
[PHRASAL VERB] V n P n
To run something past someone means the same as to run it by them.
Before agreeing, he ran the idea past Johnson.run through
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n
If you run through a list of items, you read or mention all the items quickly.
I ran through the options with him.
= go through
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n
If you run through a performance or a series of actions, you practise it.
Doug stood still while I ran through the handover procedure.
= go through
3
see also run-throughrun time (run times)
[N-COUNT]
Run time is the time during which a computer program is running. (COMPUTING)run to
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n
If you run to someone, you go to them for help or to tell them something.
If you were at a party and somebody was getting high, you didn't go running to a cop.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron)
If something runs to a particular amount or size, it is that amount or size.
The finished manuscript ran to the best part of fifty double-sided pages.
3 [PHRASAL VERB] with brd-neg, V P n
If you cannot run to a particular item, you cannot afford to buy it or pay for it. (mainly BRIT)
If you can't run to champagne, buy sparkling wine.
= affordrun up
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron)
If someone runs up bills or debts, they acquire them by buying a lot of things or borrowing money.
He ran up a £1,400 bill at the Britannia Adelphi Hotel...
2
see also run-upschool run (school runs)
[N-COUNT]
The school run is the journey that parents make each day when they take their children to school and bring them home from school. (BRIT)
I do the school run for all the children and it will be very difficult if I have to take the girls to different schools.test run (test runs)
[N-COUNT]
If you give a machine or system a test run, you try it out to see if it will work properly when it is actually in use.
= trial runtri|al run (trial runs)
[N-COUNT]
A trial run is a first attempt at doing something to make sure you can do it properly.
The form run is used in the present tense and is also the past participle of the verb.
1 [VERB] V adv/prep, V n/amount, V
When you run, you move more quickly than when you walk, for example because you are in a hurry to get somewhere, or for exercise.
I excused myself and ran back to the telephone...
He ran the last block to the White House with two cases of gear...
Antonia ran to meet them.
[N-COUNT] usu sing
Run is also a noun.
After a six-mile run, Jackie returns home for a substantial breakfast.
2 [VERB] V, V n
When someone runs in a race, they run in competition with other people.
...when I was running in the New York Marathon...
Phyllis Smith ran a controlled race to qualify in 51.32 sec.
3 [VERB] V, V n
When a horse runs in a race or when its owner runs it, it competes in a race.
The owner insisted on Cool Ground running in the Gold Cup...
If we have a wet spell, Cecil could also run Armiger in the Derby.
4 [VERB] V prep/adv
If you say that something long, such as a road, runs in a particular direction, you are describing its course or position. You can also say that something runs the length or width of something else.
...the sun-dappled trail which ran through the beech woods.
5 [VERB] V n prep/adv
If you run a wire or tube somewhere, you fix it or pull it from, to, or across a particular place.
Our host ran a long extension cord out from the house and set up a screen and a projector.
6 [VERB] V n prep
If you run your hand or an object through something, you move your hand or the object through it.
He laughed and ran his fingers through his hair...
7 [VERB] V n through n
If you run something through a machine, process, or series of tests, you make it go through the machine, process, or tests.
They have gathered the best statistics they can find and run them through their own computers.
8 [VERB] V for n, V against n, V
If someone runs for office in an election, they take part as a candidate.
It was only last February that he announced he would run for president...
It is no easy job to run against John Glenn, Ohio's Democratic senator...
Women are running in nearly all the contested seats in Los Angeles.
= stand
9 [N-SING] N for n
A run for office is an attempt to be elected to office. (mainly AM; in BRIT, usually use bid)
He was already preparing his run for the presidency.
10 [VERB] V n, V n, V-ed
If you run something such as a business or an activity, you are in charge of it or you organize it.
His stepfather ran a prosperous paint business...
Is this any way to run a country?...
...a well-run, profitable organisation.
11 [VERB] usu cont, V adv, V
If you talk about how a system, an organization, or someone's life is running, you are saying how well it is operating or progressing.
Officials in charge of the camps say the system is now running extremely smoothly.
...the staff who have kept the bank running.
12 [VERB] V n, V
If you run an experiment, computer program, or other process, or start it running, you start it and let it continue.
He ran a lot of tests and it turned out I had an infection called mycoplasma...
You can check your program one command at a time while it's running.
13 [VERB] V n, V
When you run a cassette or video tape or when it runs, it moves through the machine as the machine operates.
He pushed the play button again and ran the tape...
The tape had run to the end but recorded nothing.
= play
14 [VERB] usu cont, V, V n
When a machine is running or when you are running it, it is switched on and is working.
We told him to wait out front with the engine running.
...with everybody running their appliances all at the same time.
15 [VERB] V on/off n
A machine or equipment that runs on or off a particular source of energy functions using that source of energy.
Black cabs run on diesel...
16 [VERB] V n
If you run a car or a piece of equipment, you have it and use it. (mainly BRIT)
I ran a 1960 Rover 100 from 1977 until 1983.
17 [VERB] V prep, V
When you say that vehicles such as trains and buses run from one place to another, you mean they regularly travel along that route.
A shuttle bus runs frequently between the Inn and the Country Club.
...a government which can't make the trains run on time.
18 [VERB] V n prep/adv
If you run someone somewhere in a car, you drive them there. (INFORMAL)
Could you run me up to Baltimore?
= drive
19 [VERB] V adv
If you run over or down to a place that is quite near, you drive there. (INFORMAL)
I'll run over to Short Mountain and check on Mrs Adams.
= drive
20 [N-COUNT]
A run is a journey somewhere.
...doing the morning school run.
21 [VERB] V prep/adv, V adj
If a liquid runs in a particular direction, it flows in that direction.
Tears were running down her cheeks...
Wash the rice in cold water until the water runs clear.
= flow
22 [VERB] V n
If you run water, or if you run a tap or a bath, you cause water to flow from a tap.
She went to the sink and ran water into her empty glass...
23 [VERB] only cont, V
If a tap or a bath is running, water is coming out of a tap.
You must have left a tap running in the bathroom...
24 [VERB] usu cont, V
If your nose is running, liquid is flowing out of it, usually because you have a cold.
Timothy was crying, mostly from exhaustion, and his nose was running.
25 [VERB] usu cont, V with n
If a surface is running with a liquid, that liquid is flowing down it.
After an hour he realised he was completely running with sweat...
26 [VERB] V
If the dye in some cloth or the ink on some paper runs, it comes off or spreads when the cloth or paper gets wet.
The ink had run on the wet paper.
27 [VERB] V through n
If a feeling runs through your body or a thought runs through your mind, you experience it or think it quickly.
She felt a surge of excitement run through her...
= go
28 [VERB] V through n
If a feeling or noise runs through a group of people, it spreads among them.
A buzz of excitement ran through the crowd.
= go
29 [VERB] V through n, V throughout n
If a theme or feature runs through something such as someone's actions or writing, it is present in all of it.
Another thread running through this series is the role of doctors in the treatment of the mentally ill...
There was something of this mood running throughout the Congress's deliberations.
30 [VERB] V n, V
When newspapers or magazines run a particular item or story or if it runs, it is published or printed.
The newspaper ran a series of four editorials entitled `The Choice of Our Lives.'
...an editorial that ran this weekend entitled `Mr. Cuomo Backs Out.'
31 [VERB] V at n
If an amount is running at a particular level, it is at that level.
Today's RPI figure shows inflation running at 10.9 per cent...
= stand
32 [VERB] V for amount, V prep, V
If a play, event, or legal contract runs for a particular period of time, it lasts for that period of time.
It pleased critics but ran for only three years in the West End...
The contract was to run from 1992 to 2020...
I predict it will run and run.
33 [VERB] usu cont, V adv/prep
If someone or something is running late, they have taken more time than had been planned. If they are running to time or ahead of time, they have taken the time planned or less than the time planned.
Tell her I'll call her back later, I'm running late again...
34 [VERB] V n
If you are running a temperature or a fever, you have a high temperature because you are ill.
The little girl is running a fever and she needs help.
35 [N-COUNT] with supp
A run of a play or television programme is the period of time during which performances are given or programmes are shown.
The show will transfer to the West End on October 9, after a month's run in Birmingham...
36 [N-SING] usu N of n
A run of successes or failures is a series of successes or failures.
The England skipper is haunted by a run of low scores...
37 [N-COUNT] usu supp N
A run of a product is the amount that a company or factory decides to produce at one time.
Wayne plans to increase the print run to 1,000...
38 [N-COUNT]
In cricket or baseball, a run is a score of one, which is made by players running between marked places on the field after hitting the ball.
At 20 he became the youngest player to score 2,000 runs in a season.
39 [N-SING] the N of n
If someone gives you the run of a place, they give you permission to go where you like in it and use it as you wish.
He had the run of the house and the pool.
40 [N-SING] N on n
If there is a run on something, a lot of people want to buy it or get it at the same time.
A run on sterling has killed off hopes of a rate cut...
41 [N-COUNT] usu n N
A ski run or bobsleigh run is a course or route that has been designed for skiing or for riding in a bobsleigh.
42
see also running, dummy run, trial run, trial run
43 [PHRASE]
If something happens against the run of play or against the run of events, it is different from what is generally happening in a game or situation. (BRIT)
The decisive goal arrived against the run of play...
44 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you run someone close, run them a close second, or run a close second, you almost beat them in a race or competition.
The Under-21 team has defeated Wales and Scotland this season, and ran England very close...
45 [PHRASE] V inflects
If a river or well runs dry, it no longer has any water in it. If an oil well runs dry, it no longer produces any oil.
Streams had run dry for the first time in memory.
= dry up
46 [PHRASE] V inflects
If a source of information or money runs dry, no more information or money can be obtained from it.
Three days into production, the kitty had run dry.
= dry up
47 [PHRASE] V inflects
If a characteristic runs in someone's family, it often occurs in members of that family, in different generations.
The insanity which ran in his family haunted him.
48 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you make a run for it or if you run for it, you run away in order to escape from someone or something.
A helicopter hovered overhead as one of the gang made a run for it...
49 [PHRASE] V inflects
If people's feelings are running high, they are very angry, concerned, or excited.
Feelings there have been running high in the wake of last week's killing.
50 [PHRASE] PHR with cl, PHR with v
If you talk about what will happen in the long run, you are saying what you think will happen over a long period of time in the future. If you talk about what will happen in the short run, you are saying what you think will happen in the near future.
Sometimes expensive drugs or other treatments can be economical in the long run...
In fact, things could get worse in the short run.
51 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you say that someone would run a mile if faced with something, you mean that they are very frightened of it and would try to avoid it.
Yasmin admits she would run a mile if Mark asked her out.
52 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you say that someone could give someone else a run for their money, you mean you think they are almost as good as the other person.
...a youngster who even now could give Meryl Streep a run for her money.
53 [PHRASE] v-link PHR, PHR after v
If someone is on the run, they are trying to escape or hide from someone such as the police or an enemy.
Fifteen-year-old Danny is on the run from a local authority home.
54 [PHRASE] usu v-link PHR
If someone is on the run, they are being severely defeated in a contest or competition.
His opponents believe he is definitely on the run...
55 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you say that a person or group is running scared, you mean that they are frightened of what someone might do to them or what might happen.
The administration is running scared.
56 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you are running short of something or running low on something, you do not have much of it left. If a supply of something is running short or running low, there is not much of it left.
Government forces are running short of ammunition and fuel...
We are running low on drinking water...
57
to run amok: see amok
to make your blood run cold: see blood
to run counter to something: see counter
to run its course: see course
to run deep: see deep
to run an errand: see errand
to run the gamut of something: see gamut
to run the gauntlet: see gauntlet
to run rings around someone: see ring
to run riot: see riot
to run a risk: see risk
to run to seed: see seed
to run wild: see wilddry run (dry runs)
[N-COUNT] oft N for n
If you have a dry run, you practise something to make sure that you are ready to do it properly.
The competition is planned as a dry run for the World Cup finals.dum|my run (dummy runs)
[N-COUNT]
A dummy run is a trial or test procedure which is carried out in order to see if a plan or process works properly. (BRIT)
Before we started we did a dummy run.
= test runfun run (fun runs)
[N-COUNT]
A fun run is a long distance race which anyone can take part in. Fun runs are often held to raise money for charity. (BRIT, AUSTRALIAN)print run (print runs)
[N-COUNT] usu with supp, supp N, N of n
In publishing, a print run of something such as a book or a newspaper is the number of copies of it that are printed and published at one time.
It was launched last year in paperback with an initial print run of 7,000 copies.rat run (rat runs)
[N-COUNT]
A rat run is a small street which drivers use during busy times in order to avoid heavy traffic on the main roads. (BRIT INFORMAL)run across
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n
If you run across someone or something, you meet them or find them unexpectedly.
We ran across some old friends in the village.
= come acrossrun after
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n
If you are running after someone, you are trying to start a relationship with them, usually a sexual relationship.
By the time she was fifteen Maria was already running after men twice her age.run around
[PHRASAL VERB] V P, V P after/with n, V P n (not pron)
If you run around, you go to a lot of places and do a lot of things, often in a rushed or disorganized way.
No one noticed we had been running around emptying bins and cleaning up...
I spend all day running around after the family...
I will not have you running around the countryside without my authority.run away
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P from n, V P, V P to n
If you run away from a place, you leave it because you are unhappy there.
I ran away from home when I was sixteen...
After his beating Colin ran away and hasn't been heard of since...
Three years ago I ran away to Mexico to live with a circus.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P with n, pl-n V P together
If you run away with someone, you secretly go away with them in order to live with them or marry them.
She ran away with a man called McTavish last year...
He and I were always planning to run away together.
= run off
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P from n, V P
If you run away from something unpleasant or new, you try to avoid dealing with it or thinking about it.
They run away from the problem, hoping it will disappear of its own accord...
You can't run away for ever.
4
see also runawayrun by
[PHRASAL VERB] V n P n
If you run something by someone, you tell them about it or mention it, to see if they think it is a good idea, or can understand it.
Run that by me again.run down
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V P n (not pron)
If you run people or things down, you criticize them strongly.
He last night denounced the British `genius for running ourselves down'.
...that chap who was running down state schools.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron)
If people run down an industry or an organization, they deliberately reduce its size or the amount of work that it does. (mainly BRIT)
The government is cynically running down Sweden's welfare system...
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron)
If someone runs down an amount of something, they reduce it or allow it to decrease. (mainly BRIT)
But the survey also revealed firms were running down stocks instead of making new products...
4 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P
If a vehicle or its driver runs someone down, the vehicle hits them and injures them.
Lozano claimed that motorcycle driver Clement Lloyd was trying to run him down.
= knock down, run over
5 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
If a machine or device runs down, it gradually loses power or works more slowly.
The batteries are running down.
6
see also run-downrun into
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron)
If you run into problems or difficulties, you unexpectedly begin to experience them.
They agreed to sell last year after they ran into financial problems...
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n
If you run into someone, you meet them unexpectedly.
He ran into Krettner in the corridor a few minutes later.
= meet, bump into
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n
If a vehicle runs into something, it accidentally hits it.
The driver failed to negotiate a bend and ran into a tree.
4 [PHRASAL VERB] V P amount
You use run into when indicating that the cost or amount of something is very great.
He said companies should face punitive civil penalties running into millions of pounds.run off
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P with n, pl-n V P together
If you run off with someone, you secretly go away with them in order to live with them or marry them.
The last thing I'm going to do is run off with somebody's husband...
We could run off together, but neither of us wants to live the rest of our lives abroad.
= run away
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron)
If you run off copies of a piece of writing, you produce them using a machine.
If you want to run off a copy sometime today, you're welcome to.run out
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P of n, V P
If you run out of something, you have no more of it left.
They have run out of ideas...
We had lots before but now we've run out.
to run out of steam: see steam
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
If something runs out, it becomes used up so that there is no more left.
Conditions are getting worse and supplies are running out...
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
When a legal document runs out, it stops being valid.
When the lease ran out the family moved to Campigny.
= expirerun over
[PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V P n
If a vehicle or its driver runs a person or animal over, it knocks them down or drives over them.
You can always run him over and make it look like an accident...
He ran over a six-year-old child as he was driving back from a party.
= knock down, run downrun past
[PHRASAL VERB] V n P n
To run something past someone means the same as to run it by them.
Before agreeing, he ran the idea past Johnson.run through
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n
If you run through a list of items, you read or mention all the items quickly.
I ran through the options with him.
= go through
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n
If you run through a performance or a series of actions, you practise it.
Doug stood still while I ran through the handover procedure.
= go through
3
see also run-throughrun time (run times)
[N-COUNT]
Run time is the time during which a computer program is running. (COMPUTING)run to
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n
If you run to someone, you go to them for help or to tell them something.
If you were at a party and somebody was getting high, you didn't go running to a cop.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron)
If something runs to a particular amount or size, it is that amount or size.
The finished manuscript ran to the best part of fifty double-sided pages.
3 [PHRASAL VERB] with brd-neg, V P n
If you cannot run to a particular item, you cannot afford to buy it or pay for it. (mainly BRIT)
If you can't run to champagne, buy sparkling wine.
= affordrun up
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron)
If someone runs up bills or debts, they acquire them by buying a lot of things or borrowing money.
He ran up a £1,400 bill at the Britannia Adelphi Hotel...
2
see also run-upschool run (school runs)
[N-COUNT]
The school run is the journey that parents make each day when they take their children to school and bring them home from school. (BRIT)
I do the school run for all the children and it will be very difficult if I have to take the girls to different schools.test run (test runs)
[N-COUNT]
If you give a machine or system a test run, you try it out to see if it will work properly when it is actually in use.
= trial runtri|al run (trial runs)
[N-COUNT]
A trial run is a first attempt at doing something to make sure you can do it properly.