run
Word family
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++LDOCE 5++run1 /rʌn/ ●●● S1 W1 verb (past tense ran /ræn/, past participle run, present participle running) 1 move quickly using your legs 奔跑RUN a) [intransitive] to move very quickly, by moving your legs more quickly than when you walk 跑，奔跑run down/up/to/towards etc I ran down the stairs as fast as I could. 我尽可能快地跑下楼梯。 He was running towards the door. 他正朝着门口跑去。 She turned and ran away. 她转身跑掉了。 The boys ran off into the crowd. 男孩们跑进了人群。run to do something Several people ran to help her when she fell. 她摔倒了，好几个人跑去扶她。 The children came running out of the house. 孩子们从屋里跑出来。 Women ran screaming, with children in their arms. 妇女们抱着孩子，一边跑一边尖叫。 Jane struggled free and ran for her life (=ran in order to avoid being killed). 简挣脱出来，赶紧逃命。 Hurry! Run for it (=run as quickly as possible in order to escape)! 快！ 快逃！ He picked up the child and ran like hell (=ran very quickly, especially in order to escape). 他抱起孩子，拼命奔逃。 not polite b) [transitive] to run a particular distance 跑〔某段距离〕 Firefighters are to run 500km to raise money for a children’s charity. 消防人员将跑500公里，为一个儿童慈善机构筹款。 He ran the length of the corridor. 他从走廊的这头跑到另一头。2 race 赛跑 a) [intransitive, transitive]DSO to run in a race 参加（赛跑） I’d never run a marathon before. 我以前从未参加过马拉松比赛。run in Murray has said she will consider running in the 3000 metres. 默里说她将考虑参加3,000米赛跑。 b) [transitive]DSO if a race is run at a particular time or in a particular place, it happens at that time or in that place 举行〔比赛〕 The Derby will be run at 3 o'clock. 德比马赛将于3点钟举行。n Grammar Run is usually passive in this meaning.3 organize/be in charge of 组织/掌管 [transitive]CONTROL to organize or be in charge of an activity, business, organization, or country 组织；掌管；管理；经营 For a while, she ran a restaurant in Boston. 有一段时间她在波士顿开餐馆。 Many people don’t care who runs the country. 很多人不在乎由谁统治国家。 Courses are currently being run in London and Edinburgh. 目前伦敦和爱丁堡两地都开设了这些课程。 Many people belong to a pension scheme run by their employers. 许多人参加了由雇主管理的养老金计划。well/badly run The hotel is well-run and extremely popular. 这家酒店经营得很好，十分受欢迎。 a state-run (=controlled by the government) television station 国营电视台► see thesaurus at control4 RUNdo STH/go somewhere quickly 快速做某事/到某处 [intransitive] to do something or go somewhere quickly 迅速做；赶快去5 buses/trains etc 公共汽车/火车等6 computers 计算机TD7 machine/engine 机器/引擎8 tape 磁带9 newspaper/television 报纸/电视10 fast/out of control 快速/失控 [intransitive always + adverb/preposition]FAST/QUICK to move too fast or in an uncontrolled way 快速移动；失控11 use a vehicle 使用车辆 [transitive] especially British EnglishTTC to own and use a vehicle 拥有并使用12 take SB in your car 开车送某人 [transitive always + adverb/preposition] informalTAKE/BRING to take someone somewhere in your car 开车送 SYN drive13 in an election 选举中 [intransitive] especially American EnglishPPVVOTE/ELECT to try to be elected in an election 参加竞选 SYN British English stand14 STH long 长的东西 [intransitive, transitive always + adverb/preposition]DNTTR 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 （使）延伸15 move STH on a surface 在表面移动某物 [transitive always + adverb/preposition]RUB to move something lightly along a surface 〔在表面〕轻轻移动16 flow 流动 [intransitive always + adverb/preposition]LIQUID to flow in a particular direction or place 向〔某方向或某地〕流动17 tap 龙头 [intransitive, transitive]DHH if a tap is running, water is coming out of it, or if you run a tap, you make water come out of it （使）〔水从龙头〕流出18 run a bath DHHto fill a bath with water 往浴缸里放水19. SB’s nose 某人的鼻子 [intransitive]HBH if someone’s nose is running, liquid is flowing out of it 流鼻涕20 official papers 官方文件 [intransitive]USE something if something runs for a particular length of time, it can officially be used for that time 有效，可以合法使用21 play/film 戏剧/电影 [intransitive]APTAMF to continue being performed regularly in one place 〔在某处〕连续上演22 happen 发生 [intransitive]PLAN to happen in a particular way or at a particular time 〔以某种方式或在某个时间〕发生23 amount/price 数量/价格 [intransitive] to be at a particular level, amount, or price 处于，达到〔某个水平、数量或价格〕24 story/account etc 故事/叙述等 [intransitive, transitive]STORY if a story, discussion etc runs in a particular way, it has those particular words or events 包含〔某种词或事情〕25 run its course HAPPENif something runs its course, it continues in the way you expect until it has finished 顺其发展〔直至结束〕26 something will run and run British EnglishCONTINUE/NOT STOP if a subject, discussion, event etc will run and run, people will continue to be interested in it for a long time 〔话题、讨论、事件等〕将持续很长时间27 thoughts/feelings 思想/感觉 [intransitive always + adverb/preposition]THINK something/HAVE A THOUGHT if a feeling runs through you, or a thought runs through your mind, you feel it or think it quickly 掠过28 run high EMOTIONALif feelings run high, people are very angry, upset, excited etc 〔情绪〕激动；不安29 run somebody’s life informalADVISE to keep telling someone what they should do all the time, in a way that annoys them 对某人的生活不断指手画脚30 run for cover 31 colour in clothes 衣服上的颜色 [intransitive]SPREAD if colour runs, it spreads from one piece of clothing or one area of cloth to another when the clothes are wet 渗色，掉色32. paint/ink 油漆/墨水 [intransitive]SPREAD if paint runs, it moves onto an area where you did not intend it to go 渗开33 run a check/test/experiment etc CHECK/MAKE SUREto arrange for someone or something to be checked or tested 做检查/测试/实验等34. hole in clothes 衣服上的洞 [intransitive]DCCHOLE if a hole in tights or stockings runs, it gets bigger in a straight line 〔裤袜、长筒袜等〕脱线，抽丝35. run drugs/guns SCCto bring drugs or guns into a country illegally in order to sell them 走私毒品/枪支 → drug runner, gun-running36 run in the family SSFFAMILYif something such as a quality, disease, or skill runs in the family, many people in that family have it 〔某种品质、疾病、技能等〕在家族中遗传，是家族特征37. run a temperature/fever MIto have a body temperature that is higher than normal, because you are ill 发烧38 run a mile informalAVOID to try very hard to avoid a particular situation or person because you do not want to deal with them 尽量避而远之，躲得远远的39 run late/early/on time LATEto arrive, go somewhere, or do something late, early, or at the right time 晚了/早了/准时40 be running scared WORRIEDto feel worried because someone who you are competing against is becoming very successful or powerful 〔因对手越来越成功或强大而〕担心，烦恼41 come running 42 run your eyes over/along etc something LOOK ATto look quickly at something 扫视某物，浏览某物43 run before you can walk to try to do something difficult before you have learned the basic skills you need 不会走就想跑44. run a (red) light informal to drive quickly through a red traffic light instead of stopping 闯红灯 → running1, → cut and run at cut1(38), → be/run/go counter to something at counter3, → run deep at deep2(4), → run dry at dry1(4), → run low at low1(4), → run somebody ragged at ragged(5), → run rings around somebody at ring1(8), → run riot at riot1(2), → be running short at short3(2), → run somebody/something to earth at earth1(14), → run to fat at fat2(6), → run somebody/something to ground at ground1(19), → run to seed at seed1(4), → run wild at wild2(1), → be up and running at up1(22) THESAURUSrun to move very quickly, by moving your legs more quickly than when you walk 跑My five-year-old son runs everywhere. 我五岁大的儿子到处跑。I go running twice a week. 我一星期跑步两次。jog to run quite slowly for exercise over a long distance 慢跑A few people were jogging in the park. 一些人在公园里慢跑。race/dash to run somewhere as quickly as you can, especially because you have to do something urgently 飞奔He dashed across the road to the police station. 他飞快地穿过马路奔向警察局。We raced to the bus stop and got there just in time. 我们奔到公共汽车站，好赶上。sprint to run as fast as you can for a short distance 〔短距离〕冲刺I saw the runners sprinting past. 我看到选手们冲了过去。He sprinted up the stairs. 他飞奔上楼。tear to run very quickly and without really looking where you are going, because you are in a hurry 狂奔He tore down the street and around the corner. 他在街上飞奔，然后转过街角。charge to run quickly and with a lot of energy, so that you might knock down anyone or anything that gets in your way 猛冲They all charged out of the school gates at 4 o'clock. 一到4点，他们全都冲出校门。nDennis charged through the door into my office.take to your heels to start running away very quickly, especially to escape or because you are afraid 逃跑The men took to their heels as soon as they saw the police. 那些男子一看到警察就逃。nleg it British English informal to run away very quickly, in order to escape from someone or somethingI legged it before the cops came.nlope especially literary to run easily with long steps – used especially about tall people with long legsJohn loped across the street to meet me.animals running 动物跑trot to run fairly slowly, taking short steps – used especially about horses and dogs 〔尤指马和狗〕小跑A little dog was trotting behind her. 一只小狗跟在她身后跑。gallop if a horse gallops, it runs very quickly 〔马〕飞跑The horse galloped off across the field. 那匹马飞奔穿过田野。bolt to suddenly run somewhere very fast, especially in order to escape 〔尤为了逃跑〕（突然）飞奔Suddenly a fox bolted out from beneath a hedge. 突然，一只狐狸从树篱下逃窜出来。 PHRASAL VERBS→ See Verb tableExamples from the Corpus
run• Ellis has not yet announced whether or not he will run.• I've never run a marathon before.• Christina runs a restaurant in Houston.• Her dog was running after a rabbit and did not hear her calling.• A stream runs along the bottom of the field.• The servant was frightened and ran away.• They ran back and found Alice had been struck dead by lighting.• a drug counselling service that is run by ex-addicts• Caltrain runs commuter trains to San Jose.• Mr Elliott suffered both internal and external injuries when he was allegedly run down twice by a car at the weekend.• I think I'll probably run for about 40 minutes, then come back for a shower.• I ran four miles Saturday, and I can tell you I was exhausted after it.• Dorothy was reunited with her family after the newspaper ran her story.• We run into this problem here in Congress.• Most of the former inmates sought refuge in his abbey, and many stayed on to help run it.• How has your car been running lately?• As they ran on together across the flat open plateau, Yanto explained breathlessly what he had done.• Sedentary men, particularly those over 40, should not start a running program without a physical exam, he said.• I ran screaming out of the house.• A dog ran straight out in front of my car.• Barkley's contract only runs through next season.• On my daily mail run to the Chautauqua office I feel the mountains over my shoulder stalking me.• He kept on running until he was out in the open country.• I hope these jeans don't run when I wash them.• I'm afraid the colors ran when I washed your shirt.ran for ... life• Farmers who had refused to leave their homes and livestock ran for their lives.run in• Owens is running in the 200 meters. well/badly run• Schools were clean, attractive, safe, and well run.• The office had never been so well run.• But despite the criticisms, the prison is described as well run and the report praised staff relations with the inmates.• Panel interviews, if they are well run and well organized, can be particularly searching.• Needwood Muppet, 25-1 with Coral, could well run into a place.• In Belfast we assumed that the number of socially-patterned variables that we might uncover could well run into the hundreds.• Man, that was a badly run operation.• In race one, Hodgson was able to get a better run through the backmarkers and hold the lead to the line.run to• Weekly rates run to $3,750 during June, July, and August.• Then came a time when I was running, not knowing where I was running to.• But sadly there was no longer an Aunt Millie to run to.• The company budget wouldn't run to a Mercedes, so I had to make do with a Ford instead.• I don't think my salary quite runs to holidays in the Caribbean!• They run to keep alive a tradition started by colonial Brits 58 years ago.• Well I warned you, so don't come running to me when everything goes wrong!• At least four names are in the running to replace Dole.• The interview transcripts run to some 121 pages and can only be superficially summarized here.• The measures will run to the end of 1990, the same period as wage controls imposed at the weekend.• More of the Duke's men had run to the room and the noise of the fighting grew louder.• I need to run to the store for some milk.• She ran to the wall and began to climb.run to• But sadly there was no longer an Aunt Millie to run to.• Then came a time when I was running, not knowing where I was running to.• They run to keep alive a tradition started by colonial Brits 58 years ago.• At least four names are in the running to replace Dole.• The interview transcripts run to some 121 pages and can only be superficially summarized here.• The measures will run to the end of 1990, the same period as wage controls imposed at the weekend.• More of the Duke's men had run to the room and the noise of the fighting grew louder.• She ran to the wall and began to climb. run on• Sorry, I'm running on a bit. What did you want to say?• Don't allow meetings to run on; set an agenda and stick to it.• Business lunches do tend to run on sometimes.run on electricity/gas/petrol etc• Even on the lake for instance, motorboats are not allowed and the hired boats run on electricity.• Or you could have your engine converted to run on gas.• Ultimately this reef runs on electricity.ran out of control• Illegal trophy hunting ran out of control and 80 per cent of the Serengeti's elephants died. run for office• I wanted to run for office.• Money not only determines who is elected, it determines who runs for office.• On second thought, maybe he could just run for office.• Stephen Merrill when he ran for office.• Women's business, trade and expertise; women identifying talent in other women and supporting them to run for office.• Not surprisingly, James was against the idea of my running for office from the start.• If you ran for office here and said you were for late-term abortions, you could pretty much hang it up.• The citizens who stepped out of the crowd and ran for office Tuesday showed they had that trait.runs the length of• Then Red runs the length of the court, grabs a pass, drives to the basket and sinks one.• From here another narrow twisting road begins which runs the length of the Duddon valley.running smoothly• Riboli and his wife keep the winery running smoothly.• But it's just to keep things running smoothly.• Tiny, energetic, imaginative, she drove advertising sales to ever-new heights and kept the business departments running smoothly.• Today Riboli, his wife Maddalena and their children keep the winery running smoothly.• Once the engine is running smoothly, a backfire can be dramatic.• My job as duty officer involves keeping Teesside Airport running smoothly at all times.• Like every other business, it needs good management to keep it running smoothly, especially during times of change.• Yes, things were running smoothly once more.• Backup power at bridge Backup power systems kept the Golden Gate Bridge toll plaza running smoothly with no delays on the bridge. run to• But sadly there was no longer an Aunt Millie to run to.• Then came a time when I was running, not knowing where I was running to.• At least four names are in the running to replace Dole.• The interview transcripts run to some 121 pages and can only be superficially summarized here.• The measures will run to the end of 1990, the same period as wage controls imposed at the weekend.• More of the Duke's men had run to the room and the noise of the fighting grew louder.• She ran to the wall and began to climb.run through/down• The festival opens Feb. 28 and runs through April 4.• The two-for-one fares run through Feb. 14.• The exhibit runs through February 9.• Tears running down her face, she put the eggs back in their nest a false picture of natural felicity.• She realized that he must know exactly what was running through her mind.• The yard will be run down over the next three weeks with the loss of 600 jobs.• It is impossible to see a logical pattern running through the narrative as Luke records it.Theatre, Transport, Motor vehicles, Agriculture, Baseball, Cricket, Other sports, Clothes, Music, Cards
run2 ●●● S1 W1 noun 1 on foot 徒步 [countable]RUN a period of time spent running, or a distance that you run 跑的时间；跑的距离 → jog, sprint2 in the long run LONG TIMElater in the future, not immediately 从长远来看 → long-term3 in the short run SHORT TIMEin the near future 从短期来看 → short-term4 the usual/normal/general run of something the usual type of something 一般/正常/普遍类型的某事物5 series 一系列 [countable usually singular] a series of successes or failures 一连串，一系列〔成功或失败〕 → string, streak6 amount produced 产出量 [countable] an amount of a product produced at one time 产量7 be on the run 8 do something on the run to do something while you are on your way somewhere or doing something else 在赶路[做其他事]的时候做某事9. make a run for it ESCAPEto suddenly start running, in order to escape 突然逃跑10 the run of something USE somethingif you have the run of a place, you are allowed to go anywhere and do anything in it 在某处自由出入[活动]11 a run on something BUY12 give somebody a (good) run for their money to make your opponent in a competition use all their skill and effort to defeat you 〔在竞争中〕让某人使出浑身解数才获胜13 have a (good) run for your money informal to succeed in doing something successfully for a long time 连获成功，一直成功14. ILLNESS 疾病the runs informalMI diarrhoea 腹泻，拉肚子15 play/film 戏剧/电影 [countable]APTAMF a continuous series of performances of a play, film etc in the same place 〔在相同地方的〕连续上演16 journey 行程 [singular] 17 for animals 动物使用的 [countable]TAHBA an enclosed area where animals such as chickens or rabbits are kept 〔鸡、兔子等的〕饲养场18 sport 体育运动 [countable]DSBDSC a point won in cricket or baseball 〔板球或棒球比赛中的〕一分19 winter sports 冬季运动 [countable]DSO a special area or track on a mountain for people to ski or sledge down 〔滑雪运动的〕坡道，滑道20 election 选举 [countable usually singular] American English an attempt to be elected to an important position 竞选21. in clothes 在衣物上 [countable] American EnglishDCCTEAR a line of torn stitches in tights or stockings 〔裤袜或长筒袜的〕脱线，抽丝 SYN British English ladder 22. music 音乐 [countable]APM a set of notes played or sung quickly up or down a scale in a piece of music 〔按音阶顺序快速上行或下行的〕急奏；急唱23. card games 纸牌游戏 [countable]DGC a set of cards with numbers in a series, held by one player 顺子，同花顺 → dry run, dummy run, fun run, milk run, print run, trial runExamples from the Corpus
run• The West Indies beat Australia by 273 runs.• Camilli scored 936 runs in 12 major-league seasons.• Long distance runners follow a different training programme from other athletes.• As a narrator, Stella gives James Joyce a run for his stream-of-consciousness money.• Both resorts offer beginner to expert runs.• After his run, he took a long shower.• But in the long run the outcome of the race between food production and population growth remains too hard to call.• Your educated boys went at it a little more privately and gracefully, but sometimes destroyed more people in the long run.• Cher wins the prize for longest run of success.• a 5-mile run• They left Anchorage at nine for the forty-mile run to Matanuska.• Countess Maud was set for a record run.• The show moves to London's West End after a month's run in Leicester's Gala Theatre.• Dunaway is starring in a six-week run of "Master Class" in Los Angeles.at a run• A couple of men rounded the plantation, going at a run towards the lake.• He looked beautiful on a tennis court; he was a pleasure to look at running for a bus.• The evidence suggests that women are on average slightly better than men at running countries.• The kids set off at a run for the swing sets.• Rory set off at a run.• Then they set off at a run, Jim and Louise leading the way, Jube pounding along behind them.• The user has also to construct a path through the relations thus setting up the linkages required at run time.• Lewis has always been one of the greatest in the sport at running men down.• He lined up at running back and tailback.run of good/bad luck• Then he had a run of bad luck.• Perhaps the constable who carried out the test was merely having a run of bad luck.• Despite their current run of bad luck, the Giants are drawing record crowds at Scottsdale Stadium.• Maybe this is my run of bad luck over with.school run• The victim was a 13-year-old pupil at a school run by the defendant's wife.• And others on the scientific level who would claim the excuse of a school run, or taking the wife to Surgery.• The 1980s have also seen the development of four military schools run by the army but privately financed.• I felt I could whizz it round the country lanes on school runs and trips up to town.• Some colleges and private schools run summer programs for kids, as do some of the larger daycare centers.• As a consequence, private schools flourished, from the very expensive to the shantytown schools run by women in the slums.• You could go to Newcastle or York shopping and be back in time to do the school run.• What they do see me doing is the school run, shopping, cooking their meals and running the household.made ... runs• Gunships made their chattering runs beside us, and door gunners killed bushes.• Gooch has scored 2124 runs at an average of 50.57, whereas Gower has made 2183 runs at 50.76.• It was nice to be part of a winning side and even better to have made a few runs.• As a batsman he made 3,882 runs at a modest average, but showed himself a robust tail-ender when it mattered.• It made short runs, and at each stop I heard a very brief buzz that sounded like some giant fly.• While my group circled for another attempt, others made their runs, some trying as many as three before succeeding.• Money was made by long runs of dresses successfully sold.From Longman Business Dictionaryrunrun1 /rʌn/ verb (past tense ran /ræn/, past participle run, present participle running)1[transitive] to control or be in charge of an organization, company, or systemI’ve always wanted to run my own business.For a while, she ran a restaurant in Boston.A well-run company should not have problems of this kind.a state-run airline2[intransitive, transitive]COMPUTINGMANUFACTURING if you run a machine or a computer program, you make it workHow many times a week do you run your washing machine?The software will run on any PC.cars that run on unleaded petrol3up and runningCOMPUTINGMANUFACTURING working fully and correctlyThe new system won’t be up and running until next week.4[intransitive]LAW to continue to be VALID (legally or officially acceptable) for a particular period of timeThe contract runs for a year.My car insurance only has another year to run.5[intransitive] to happen or take place, especially in the way that was intendedSo far, it had all run according to plan (=happened in the way that had been planned).Her job is to ensure university catering runs smoothly (=happens with no unexpected problems). 6[transitive] to operate a bus, train, or plane serviceThey’re running special trains to and from the exhibition.7be running at something to currently be at a particular levelInflation at that time was running at 10%.8be running short of something to have very little of something leftThe insurance fund was running short of cash.9be running late to be doing everything later than planned or expectedThey were running late, so I didn’t get interviewed until nearly 4 o'clock.10run a check/test on somebody/something to check or test someone or somethingCar-rental companies are running background checks on drivers who rent for long periods.She worked for a company running credit checks on people. 11[intransitive] to try to be elected in an electionrun forHe has yet to decide whether to run for chairman.run againstthe candidates who are hoping to run against the President in November12run an advertisement/a story/a feature etc to print an advertisement, a story etc in a newspaper or magazinemagazines that don’t run tobacco adsThe paper still runs articles that anger dealers.13ECONOMICS run a deficit/surplus to have less or more money than is neededThe government is running a large budget surplus. → run something by somebody → run down → run into something → run something → off → run out → run to something → run up → run up against somebody/something→ See Verb tablerunrun2 noun1[countable] a series of similar events, especially successes or failuresrun ofThe company has had a run of spectacularly successful years.2a run on somethingCOMMERCE when a lot of people suddenly buy a particular productControls were necessary to prevent a run on inexpensive Czech goods.3a run on a bank (also a bank run)BANKINGFINANCE when a lot of people all take their money out of a bank at the same timeA run on any bank could spread to other banks and threaten the entire system.Even a minor bank run could bring down the system.4a run on the dollar/pound etcFINANCE when a lot of people sell dollars, pounds etc and their value goes downFinancial markets panicked, causing a run on the Brazilian currency.5in the long run at a later time in the future or over a longer period of timeThe company believes that the move will save it money in the long run. 6in the short run in the near futureThe plan does provide some help in the short run.7MANUFACTURING an amount of a product that is produced at one timeLarge production runs are necessary in order to cover the massive fixed costs involved in developing new cars.The book has already sold out its initial print run of 20,000 copies.8run of book/paper/network/siteMARKETING run of book etc advertisements can be put anywhere in a magazine or newspaper, or on any website or part of a website, rather than in a particular placeOrigin run1 Old English rinnanrun1 verb →10-19 →20-29 →30-44
→n GRAMMAR1 →n GRAMMAR2 →THESAURUS1 →PHRASAL VERBS1run2 noun →10-23
LDOCE OnlineChinese
→n GRAMMAR1 →n GRAMMAR2 →THESAURUS1 →PHRASAL VERBS1run2 noun →10-23
LDOCE OnlineChinese
to quickly quickly, your by very legs moving Business move more Corpus
run
run1 S1 W1 /rʌn/ 
verb (past tense ran /ræn/, past participle run, present participle running)
a. [intransitive] to move very quickly, by moving your legs more quickly than when you walk
run 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 something
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 (=ran very quickly, especially in order to escape). not polite
b. [transitive] 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. [intransitive and transitive] 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. [transitive 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 [transitive] 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
4. DO SOMETHING/GO SOMEWHERE QUICKLY [intransitive] 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. [intransitive] 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. [transitive] 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. [intransitive] if a computer program runs, it operates
run on
The software will run on any PC.
b. [transitive] if you run a program, you make it operate:
The RS8 system runs both Unix and MPX-32.
7. MACHINE/ENGINE
a. [intransitive] 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 something (=use something for power)
It runs off batteries.
b. [transitive] 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. [intransitive usually progressive] if a tape is running, it is recording:
She didn’t realize the tape was running as she spoke.
b. [transitive] if you run a tape, you make it move backwards or forwards:
Run the tape back to the beginning.
9. NEWSPAPER/TELEVISION
a. [transitive] 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. [intransitive] 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 [intransitive 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 [transitive] especially British English 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 [transitive always + adverb/preposition] informal to take someone somewhere in your car
SYN drive:
Shall I run you home?
run somebody to something
Let me run you to the station.
13. IN AN ELECTION [intransitive] especially American English to try to be elected in an election
SYN stand British English
run for
Salinas is running for a second term as President.
an attempt to encourage more women to run for office
run against
Feinstein will win if she runs against Lungren.
14. SOMETHING LONG [intransitive, transitive 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 [transitive always + adverb/preposition] to move something lightly along a surface:
Charles ran his fingers through her hair.
Run the scanner over the bar codes.
16. FLOW [intransitive 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 [intransitive and transitive] 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 bath to fill a bath with water:
I could hear her running a bath upstairs.
run somebody a bath
Could you run me a nice hot bath while I finish my meal?
19. SB’S NOSE [intransitive] if someone’s nose is running, liquid is flowing out of it
20. OFFICIAL PAPERS [intransitive] 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 [intransitive] to continue being performed regularly in one place:
The play ran for two years.
22. HAPPEN [intransitive] 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 [intransitive] to be at a particular level, amount, or price
run at
Inflation was running at 5%.
run to
The cost of repairing the damage could run to $5000.
24. STORY/ACCOUNT ETC [intransitive and transitive] 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 course if 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. something will run and run British English if a subject, discussion, event etc will run and run, people will continue to be interested in it for a long time:
This is a story that will run and run.
27. THOUGHTS/FEELINGS [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] if a feeling runs through you, or a thought runs through your mind, you feel it or think it quickly
run 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 high if 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 informal to 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 cover
a. 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 [intransitive] 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 [intransitive] if paint runs, it moves onto an area where you did not intend it to go
33. run a check/test/experiment etc to arrange for someone or something to be checked or tested
run a check/test/experiment etc on
Ask your doctor to run a test on your blood sugar levels.
34. HOLE IN CLOTHES [intransitive] if a hole in tights or stockings runs, it gets bigger in a straight line
35. run drugs/guns to bring drugs or guns into a country illegally in order to sell them ⇨ drug runner, gun-running
36. run in the family if 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/fever to have a body temperature that is higher than normal, because you are ill
38. run a mile informal to 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 time to 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 scared to feel worried because someone who you are competing against is becoming very successful or powerful:
The party are running scared.
41. come running
a. 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 problem
come 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 something to look quickly at something:
He ran his eyes along the books on the shelf.
43. run before you can walk to 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 informal to drive quickly through a red TRAFFIC LIGHT instead of stopping
⇨ running1, ⇨ cut and run at cut1(38), ⇨ be/run/go counter to something at counter3, ⇨ run deep at deep2(4), ⇨ run dry at dry1(4), ⇨ run low at low1(4), ⇨ run somebody ragged at ragged(5), ⇨ run rings around somebody at ring1(8), ⇨ run riot at riot1(2), ⇨ be running short at short2(2), ⇨ run somebody/something to earth at earth1(14), ⇨ run to fat at fat2(6), ⇨ run somebody/something to ground at ground1(19), ⇨ run to seed at seed1(4), ⇨ run wild at wild2(1), ⇨ be up and running at up1(22)
▪ run to move very quickly, by moving your legs more quickly than when you walk: My five-year-old son runs everywhere. | I go running twice a week.
▪jog to run quite slowly for exercise over a long distance: A few people were jogging in the park.
▪race/dash to run somewhere as quickly as you can, especially because you have to do something urgently: He dashed across the road to the police station. | We raced to the bus stop and got there just in time.
▪sprint to run as fast as you can for a short distance: I saw the runners sprinting past. | He sprinted up the stairs.
▪tear to run very quickly and without really looking where you are going, because you are in a hurry: He tore down the street and around the corner.
▪charge to run quickly and with a lot of energy, so that you might knock down anyone or anything that gets in your way: They all charged out of the school gates at 4 o'clock. | Dennis charged through the door into my office.
▪take to your heels to start running away very quickly, especially to escape or because you are afraid: The men took to their heels as soon as they saw the police.
▪leg it British English informal to run away very quickly, in order to escape from someone or something: I legged it before the cops came.
▪lope especially literary to run easily with long steps – used especially about tall people with long legs: John loped across the street to meet me.
■ animals running
▪trot to run fairly slowly, taking short steps – used especially about horses and dogs: A little dog was trotting behind her.
▪gallop if a horse gallops, it runs very quickly: The horse galloped off across the field.
▪bolt to suddenly run somewhere very fast, especially in order to escape: Suddenly a fox bolted out from beneath a hedge.
run across somebody/something phrasal verb
to 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 somebody/something phrasal verb
1. 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 phrasal verb spoken
used 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 (also run round British English) phrasal verb
1. 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). ⇨ runaround
run around after somebody phrasal verb informal
to 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 somebody phrasal verb informal
to 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 phrasal verb
1. to leave a place, especially secretly, in order to escape from someone or something
run away from
Toby ran away from home at the age of 14. ⇨ runaway2
2. to try to avoid dealing with a problem or difficult situation
run 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 somebody/something phrasal verb
1. 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 you if 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 you if your tongue runs away with you, you say something that you did not intend to say
4. 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 something by/past somebody phrasal verb
1. 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 again spoken used to ask someone to repeat what they have just said because you did not completely understand it
run down phrasal verb
1. run somebody/something ↔ down to drive into a person or animal and kill or injure them:
Their daughter was run down by a car.
2. run somebody/something ↔ down informal to 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 working
4. to make a company, organization etc gradually reduce in size, especially in order to close it in the future, or to gradually reduce in size
run something ↔ 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 something ↔ down
Electricity generating companies are running down stocks and cutting purchases.
6. run down something to read a list of people or things:
Let me just run down the list of people who’ve been invited.
7. run somebody/something down to find someone or something after searching for a long time:
I finally ran him down at his new office in Glendale. ⇨ rundown, run-down
run somebody/something ↔ in phrasal verb British English
1. to drive a new car slowly and carefully for a period of time so you do not damage its engine
2. old-fashioned if the police run a criminal in, they catch him or her
run into somebody/something phrasal verb
1. 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 etc to 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
SYN 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 yourself into the ground at ground1(13)
run off phrasal verb
1. 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 something ↔ off to quickly print several copies of something:
I’ll run off a few more copies before the meeting.
3. run somebody off something to 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 something ↔ off to 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 mouth American English informal to talk too much
6. run something ↔ off to get rid of weight by running:
I’m trying to run off some of my excess fat!
run off with somebody/something phrasal verb informal
1. 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 savings
run on phrasal verb
to continue happening for longer than expected or planned:
These things always run on longer than people imagine.
run out phrasal verb
1.
a. to use all of something and not have any more left:
I’ve got 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 now 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
SYN expire:
My contract runs out in September.
3. run out of steam informal (also run out of gas American English) to 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 somebody out of town old-fashioned to force someone to leave a place, because they have done something wrong
5. run somebody ↔ out to end a player’s innings in the game of cricket by hitting the stumps with the ball while they are running
run out on somebody phrasal verb
to leave someone when they are in a difficult situation – used to show disapproval:
He ran out on her when she became pregnant.
run over phrasal verb
1. run somebody/something ↔ over to 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 something to think about something:
Mark’s mind raced, running over all the possibilities.
3. run over something to explain or practise something quickly:
I’ll just run over the main points again.
4. run over (something) 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
SYN overflow
run something past somebody phrasal verb
to run something by someone
run round phrasal verb British English
to run around
run through phrasal verb
1. run through something to repeat something in order to practise it or make sure it is correct:
Let’s run through the first scene again.
2. run through something to read, look at, or explain something quickly:
Briefly, she ran through details of the morning’s events.
3. run through something if a quality, feature etc runs through something, it is present in all of that thing:
This theme runs through the whole book.
4. run somebody through literary to push a sword completely through someone ⇨ run-through
run to somebody/something phrasal verb
1. 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] British English to 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 something if someone’s taste runs to something, that is what they like:
His taste ran to action movies and thrillers.
run up something phrasal verb
1. run up a debt/bill etc to 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 something ↔ up to make something, especially clothes, very quickly:
She can run up a dress in an evening.
4. run something ↔ up to raise a flag on a pole
run up against something/somebody phrasal verb
to have to deal with unexpected problems or a difficult opponent:
The museum has run up against opposition to its proposals.
run with something phrasal verb
to be covered with a liquid that is flowing down:
His face was running with blood.
run2 noun
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 run later in the future, not immediately ⇨ long-term:
Moving to Spain will be better for you in the long run.
3. in the short run in the near future ⇨ short-term:
Sufficient supply, in the short run, will be a problem.
4. the usual/normal/general run of something the usual type of something:
The place was very different from the normal run of street cafes.
5. SERIES [countable usually singular] a series of successes or failures ⇨ string, streak:
an unbeaten run of 19 games
run 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 [countable] an amount of a product produced at one time:
a limited run of 200 copies
7. be on the run
a. to be trying to escape or hide, especially from the police
be on the run from
wanted criminals on the run from police
b. if an army or opponent is on the run, they will soon be defeated
c. to be very busy and continuously rushing about:
Typical of stress is this feeling of being continuously on the run.
8. do something on the run to 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 it to suddenly start running, in order to escape
10. the run of something if 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 something
a. 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 etc a situation in which lots of people sell dollars etc and the value goes down
c. a run on the bank an occasion when a lot of people take their money out of a bank at the same time
12. give somebody a (good) run for their money to 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 informal to succeed in doing something successfully for a long time:
Investors have also had a good run for their money.
14. ILLNESS the runs informal diarrhoea
15. PLAY/FILM [countable] 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) British English
b. informal a short journey in a car, for pleasure:
Let’s take the car out for a run.
17. FOR ANIMALS [countable] an enclosed area where animals such as chickens or rabbits are kept:
a chicken run
18. SPORT [countable] a point won in cricket or baseball:
Jones made 32 runs this afternoon.
19. WINTER SPORTS [countable] a special area or track on a mountain for people to ski or sledge down:
a ski run
20. ELECTION [countable usually singular] American English an attempt to be elected to an important position
run for
He is preparing a run for the presidency.
21. IN CLOTHES [countable] American English a line of torn stitches in tights or stockings
SYN ladder British English
22. MUSIC [countable] a set of notes played or sung quickly up or down a scale in a piece of music
23. CARD GAMES [countable] a set of cards with numbers in a series, held by one player
⇨ dry run, dummy run, fun run, milk run, print run, trial run
| I |
verb (past tense ran /ræn/, past participle run, present participle running) Word Family: noun: run, rerun, runner, running, overrun; verb: run, outrun, overrun, rerun; adjective: running, runny; adverb: running
Language: Old English
Origin: rinnan
1. MOVE QUICKLY USING YOUR LEGS Origin: rinnan
a. [intransitive] to move very quickly, by moving your legs more quickly than when you walk
run down/up/to/towards etc
run to do something
b. [transitive] to run a particular distance:
2. RACE
a. [intransitive and transitive] to run in a race:
run in
b. [transitive 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:
3. ORGANIZE/BE IN CHARGE OF [transitive] to organize or be in charge of an activity, business, organization, or country:
well/badly run
4. DO SOMETHING/GO SOMEWHERE QUICKLY [intransitive] to do something or go somewhere quickly:
run to
5. BUSES/TRAINS ETC
a. [intransitive] if a bus, train etc service runs, it takes people from one place to another at fixed times:
run to
b. [transitive] if a company or other organization runs a bus, train etc service, they make it operate:
6. COMPUTERS
a. [intransitive] if a computer program runs, it operates
run on
b. [transitive] if you run a program, you make it operate:
7. MACHINE/ENGINE
a. [intransitive] if a machine or engine runs, it operates:
run on electricity/gas/petrol etc (=get its power from electricity etc)
run off something (=use something for power)
b. [transitive] if you run a machine or engine, you make it operate:
8. TAPE
a. [intransitive usually progressive] if a tape is running, it is recording:
b. [transitive] if you run a tape, you make it move backwards or forwards:
9. NEWSPAPER/TELEVISION
a. [transitive] to print something in a newspaper or magazine, or broadcast something on television:
b. [intransitive] if a program runs on television, it is shown. If a story runs in a newspaper or magazine, it is printed:
10. FAST/OUT OF CONTROL [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] to move too fast or in an uncontrolled way:
11. USE A VEHICLE [transitive] especially British English to own and use a vehicle:
12. TAKE SOMEBODY IN YOUR CAR [transitive always + adverb/preposition] informal to take someone somewhere in your car
SYN drive:
run somebody to something
13. IN AN ELECTION [intransitive] especially American English to try to be elected in an election
SYN stand British English
run for
run against
14. SOMETHING LONG [intransitive, transitive 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:
15. MOVE SOMETHING ON A SURFACE [transitive always + adverb/preposition] to move something lightly along a surface:
16. FLOW [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] to flow in a particular direction or place:
17. TAP [intransitive and transitive] if a tap is running, water is coming out of it, or if you run a tap, you make water come out of it:
18. run a bath to fill a bath with water:
run somebody a bath
19. SB’S NOSE [intransitive] if someone’s nose is running, liquid is flowing out of it
20. OFFICIAL PAPERS [intransitive] if something runs for a particular length of time, it can officially be used for that time:
21. PLAY/FILM [intransitive] to continue being performed regularly in one place:
22. HAPPEN [intransitive] to happen in a particular way or at a particular time:
23. AMOUNT/PRICE [intransitive] to be at a particular level, amount, or price
run at
run to
24. STORY/ACCOUNT ETC [intransitive and transitive] if a story, discussion etc runs in a particular way, it has those particular words or events:
25. run its course if something runs its course, it continues in the way you expect until it has finished:
26. something will run and run British English if a subject, discussion, event etc will run and run, people will continue to be interested in it for a long time:
27. THOUGHTS/FEELINGS [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] if a feeling runs through you, or a thought runs through your mind, you feel it or think it quickly
run through/down
28. run high if feelings run high, people are very angry, upset, excited etc:
29. run sb’s life informal to keep telling someone what they should do all the time, in a way that annoys them:
30. run for cover
a. to run towards a place where you will be safe, especially to avoid bullets:
b. to try to protect yourself from a bad situation or from being criticized:
31. COLOUR IN CLOTHES [intransitive] if colour runs, it spreads from one piece of clothing or one area of cloth to another when the clothes are wet:
32. PAINT/INK [intransitive] if paint runs, it moves onto an area where you did not intend it to go
33. run a check/test/experiment etc to arrange for someone or something to be checked or tested
run a check/test/experiment etc on
34. HOLE IN CLOTHES [intransitive] if a hole in tights or stockings runs, it gets bigger in a straight line
35. run drugs/guns to bring drugs or guns into a country illegally in order to sell them ⇨ drug runner, gun-running
36. run in the family if something such as a quality, disease, or skill runs in the family, many people in that family have it:
37. run a temperature/fever to have a body temperature that is higher than normal, because you are ill
38. run a mile informal to try very hard to avoid a particular situation or person because you do not want to deal with them:
39. run late/early/on time to arrive, go somewhere, or do something late, early, or at the right time:
40. be running scared to feel worried because someone who you are competing against is becoming very successful or powerful:
41. come running
a. informal to react in a very eager way when someone asks or tells you to do something:
b. especially spoken to ask someone for help, advice, or sympathy when you have a problem
come running to
42. run your eyes over/along etc something to look quickly at something:
43. run before you can walk to try to do something difficult before you have learned the basic skills you need:
44. run a (red) light informal to drive quickly through a red TRAFFIC LIGHT instead of stopping
⇨ running1, ⇨ cut and run at cut1(38), ⇨ be/run/go counter to something at counter3, ⇨ run deep at deep2(4), ⇨ run dry at dry1(4), ⇨ run low at low1(4), ⇨ run somebody ragged at ragged(5), ⇨ run rings around somebody at ring1(8), ⇨ run riot at riot1(2), ⇨ be running short at short2(2), ⇨ run somebody/something to earth at earth1(14), ⇨ run to fat at fat2(6), ⇨ run somebody/something to ground at ground1(19), ⇨ run to seed at seed1(4), ⇨ run wild at wild2(1), ⇨ be up and running at up1(22)
| THESAURUS |
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run across somebody/something phrasal verb
to meet someone or find something by chance:
run after somebody/something phrasal verb
1. to chase someone or something:
2. informal to try to start a sexual relationship with someone:
3. spoken to do a lot of things for someone else as though you were their servant:
run along phrasal verb spoken
used to tell a child to leave, or to tell someone that you must leave:
run around (also run round British English) phrasal verb
1. to run in an area while you are playing:
2. informal to be very busy doing many small jobs:
run around after somebody phrasal verb informal
to do a lot of things for someone else as though you were their servant:
run around with somebody phrasal verb informal
to spend a lot of time with someone, especially someone that other people disapprove of:
run away phrasal verb
1. to leave a place, especially secretly, in order to escape from someone or something
run away from
2. to try to avoid dealing with a problem or difficult situation
run away from
3. to secretly go away with someone in order to marry them or live with them:
run away with somebody/something phrasal verb
1. to secretly go away with someone in order to marry them or live with them – usually used to show disapproval:
2. run away with you if your feelings, ideas etc run away with you, they start to control how you behave:
3. your tongue runs away with you if your tongue runs away with you, you say something that you did not intend to say
4. run away with the idea/impression (that) spoken to think that something is true when it is not:
5. informal to win a competition or sports game very easily:
run something by/past somebody phrasal verb
1. to tell someone something so that they can give you their opinion:
2. run that by me again spoken used to ask someone to repeat what they have just said because you did not completely understand it
run down phrasal verb
1. run somebody/something ↔ down to drive into a person or animal and kill or injure them:
2. run somebody/something ↔ down informal to criticize someone or something in a way that is unfair:
3. if a clock, machine, battery etc runs down, it has no more power and stops working
4. to make a company, organization etc gradually reduce in size, especially in order to close it in the future, or to gradually reduce in size
run something ↔ down
5. if a supply of something runs down, or if you run it down, there gradually becomes less of it:
run something ↔ down
6. run down something to read a list of people or things:
7. run somebody/something down to find someone or something after searching for a long time:
run somebody/something ↔ in phrasal verb British English
1. to drive a new car slowly and carefully for a period of time so you do not damage its engine
2. old-fashioned if the police run a criminal in, they catch him or her
run into somebody/something phrasal verb
1. to start to experience a difficult or unpleasant situation:
run into trouble/problems/difficulties
2. run into hundreds/thousands etc to reach an amount of several hundred, several thousand etc:
3. to hit someone or something with a vehicle
SYN crash into:
4. informal to meet someone by chance:
run off phrasal verb
1. to leave a place or person in a way that people disapprove of:
2. run something ↔ off to quickly print several copies of something:
3. run somebody off something to force someone to leave a place:
4. run something ↔ off to write a speech, poem, piece of music etc quickly and easily:
5. run off at the mouth American English informal to talk too much
6. run something ↔ off to get rid of weight by running:
run off with somebody/something phrasal verb informal
1. to secretly go away with someone in order to marry them or live with them – used to show disapproval:
2. to steal something and go away:
run on phrasal verb
to continue happening for longer than expected or planned:
run out phrasal verb
1.
a. to use all of something and not have any more left:
run out of
b. if something is running out, there will soon be none left:
2. if an agreement, official document etc runs out, the period for which it is legal or has an effect ends
SYN expire:
3. run out of steam informal (also run out of gas American English) to have no more energy or no longer be interested in what you are doing:
4. run somebody out of town old-fashioned to force someone to leave a place, because they have done something wrong
5. run somebody ↔ out to end a player’s innings in the game of cricket by hitting the stumps with the ball while they are running
run out on somebody phrasal verb
to leave someone when they are in a difficult situation – used to show disapproval:
run over phrasal verb
1. run somebody/something ↔ over to hit someone or something with a vehicle, and drive over them:
2. run over something to think about something:
3. run over something to explain or practise something quickly:
4. run over (something) to continue happening for longer than planned:
5. if a container runs over, there is so much liquid inside that some flows out
SYN overflow
run something past somebody phrasal verb
to run something by someone
run round phrasal verb British English
to run around
run through phrasal verb
1. run through something to repeat something in order to practise it or make sure it is correct:
2. run through something to read, look at, or explain something quickly:
3. run through something if a quality, feature etc runs through something, it is present in all of that thing:
4. run somebody through literary to push a sword completely through someone ⇨ run-through
run to somebody/something phrasal verb
1. to reach a particular amount:
2. [usually in negatives] British English to be or have enough money to pay for something:
3. to ask someone to help or protect you:
4. sb’s taste runs to something if someone’s taste runs to something, that is what they like:
run up something phrasal verb
1. run up a debt/bill etc to use so much of something, or borrow so much money, that you owe a lot of money:
2. to achieve a particular score or position in a game or competition:
3. run something ↔ up to make something, especially clothes, very quickly:
4. run something ↔ up to raise a flag on a pole
run up against something/somebody phrasal verb
to have to deal with unexpected problems or a difficult opponent:
run with something phrasal verb
to be covered with a liquid that is flowing down:
| II |
noun Word Family: noun: run, rerun, runner, running, overrun; verb: run, outrun, overrun, rerun; adjective: running, runny; adverb: running
1. ON FOOT [countable] a period of time spent running, or a distance that you run ⇨ jog, sprint: at a run
2. in the long run later in the future, not immediately ⇨ long-term:
3. in the short run in the near future ⇨ short-term:
4. the usual/normal/general run of something the usual type of something:
5. SERIES [countable usually singular] a series of successes or failures ⇨ string, streak:
run of good/bad luck
a run of defeats/victories etc
6. AMOUNT PRODUCED [countable] an amount of a product produced at one time:
7. be on the run
a. to be trying to escape or hide, especially from the police
be on the run from
b. if an army or opponent is on the run, they will soon be defeated
c. to be very busy and continuously rushing about:
8. do something on the run to do something while you are on your way somewhere or doing something else:
9. make a run for it to suddenly start running, in order to escape
10. the run of something if you have the run of a place, you are allowed to go anywhere and do anything in it:
11. a run on something
a. a situation in which lots of people suddenly buy a particular product ⇨ rush:
b. a run on the dollar/pound etc a situation in which lots of people sell dollars etc and the value goes down
c. a run on the bank an occasion when a lot of people take their money out of a bank at the same time
12. give somebody a (good) run for their money to make your opponent in a competition use all their skill and effort to defeat you:
13. have a (good) run for your money informal to succeed in doing something successfully for a long time:
14. ILLNESS the runs informal diarrhoea
15. PLAY/FILM [countable] a continuous series of performances of a play, film etc in the same place:
16. JOURNEY [singular]
a. a journey by train, ship, truck etc made regularly between two places:
b. informal a short journey in a car, for pleasure:
17. FOR ANIMALS [countable] an enclosed area where animals such as chickens or rabbits are kept:
18. SPORT [countable] a point won in cricket or baseball:
19. WINTER SPORTS [countable] a special area or track on a mountain for people to ski or sledge down:
20. ELECTION [countable usually singular] American English an attempt to be elected to an important position
run for
21. IN CLOTHES [countable] American English a line of torn stitches in tights or stockings
SYN ladder British English
22. MUSIC [countable] a set of notes played or sung quickly up or down a scale in a piece of music
23. CARD GAMES [countable] a set of cards with numbers in a series, held by one player
⇨ dry run, dummy run, fun run, milk run, print run, trial run
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