be in the running—compete for smth. such as fame, smb.’s affections, etc.:
- A month before Joyce married Hal, three of Joyce’s boy friends seemed to be still in the running.
Cf.: be out of the running—fail to achieve success as a contender:
- Halliburton is now out of the running for bids on lucrative construction contracts.
make the running—
1. lead over one’s competitors in a contest, etc.:
- The early leaders drop back and allow others to make the running.
2. (also: do the running ) show initiative; make sure that things get done:
- He is unsure of himself, halffrightened of the girl, so she has to make the running.