run something down— 1. lower smth. such as a flag: A few of us created a big diversionary distraction near the main entrance while two other guys snuck out and ran down the flag. 2. speak of smth. in a disparaging or critical manner: You always run my proposals down. You find every reason in […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Run someone round and Run someone round in circles
run someone round— 1. drive smb. to a place: You have to go into one of Heathrow’s terminals and hire a car, they will run you round to the hire car places. 2. (coll.) perform the duties of a servant for a person: Don’t expect me to run you round for the rest of your […]
Difference between Run someone off his feet and Walk someone off his feet
run someone off his feet— 1. (Sport) wear out an opponent (showing greater stamina and vigor): Now, at the age of 51, John ran me off my feet in a cross-country run. 2. (also: run someone off his legs) exhaust a person by keeping him constantly busy: She positively adored running me off my feet. […]
Difference between Run someone into the ground and Run someone to ground
run someone into the ground—(coll.) 1. win over a person; defeat smb. completely: We lost the game today, but tomorrow we’ll run them into the ground. 2. make smb. work continuously very hard so that the person becomes completely exhausted: Well-trained horses had been starved to death or run into the ground. run someone to […]
Difference between Run out of time and Run out the clock
run out of time—have no more time left: With queens on the board both players were forced to move at lightening speed, and it was Grischuk who ran out of time first. run out the clock—(Sport) keep the ball away from the opposing team at the end of a game so that they cannot score: […]
Difference between Run out at something and Run out on something
run out at something—(also: run up to something ) amount to a figure mentioned; reach a sum: With hospitals making about 50 million outpatients’ appointments a year, the annual cost of missed appointments runs out at more than ￡300 million. run out on something—abandon one’s responsibility for smth.; fail to fulfil an agreement, etc.: We […]
Difference between Run like a deer and Run like a hairy goat
run like a deer —(hyperbolic) run very fast: The boy was far ahead running like a deer. run like a hairy goat—(Austral sl.) 1. = run like a deer: He ran like a hairy goat. It was his best race. 2. run very slowly: Everything was OK until last week when I noticed the car […]
Difference between Run into a stone wall and Run one’s head into a stone wall
run into a stone wall —(also: come up against a brick wall) encounter an impenetrable obstacle or difficulty: These recommendations have run into a stone wall, as Republican and Democratic governors alike have strongly resisted any Federal cuts. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase hit the wall running—(coll.) exhaust one’s […]
Difference between Run high and Run low
run high— 1. (of the sea) have a strong current with a high tide: The sea runs high, and the boat may be dashed to pieces on the rocks. 2. (of disputes, feelings, etc.) be strongly manifested or intensify: Popular passions ran high as the general election approached. run low—become scarce in supply: We had […]
Difference between Run away with someone and Run off with someone
run away with someone— 1. (of lovers, etc.) elope with a person: Well, ma’am, in round numbers, she’s run away with the soldiers. 2. go out of smb.’s control; become ungovernable: If corporations are not to run away with us, they must become quasi-governmental institutions. run off with someone— 1. = run away with someone […]
Difference between Run around and Run around in circles
run around—(coll.) 1. go to different places for entertainment or to do things: We went for brunch and then ran around all day, watched Family Guy, and ate pasta. 2. make short journeys in a vehicle: Mary bought herself an old car, just for running around in. 3. associate with smb. of the opposite sex: […]
Difference between Run after two hares and Run with the hare and hunt with the hounds
run after two hares—(also: chase two rabbits) try to fulfill two goals at the same time (with the implication that a person will not succeed in either one): We are pursuing two qualitative targets simultaneously, which might be thought of as running after two hares. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the […]