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 […]
Difference between Run after girls and Run the girls
run after girls—continually approach girls in the hope of a romantic relationship: “I don’t care about politics,” he said. “I just listen to music and run after girls.” run the girls —(sl., of a pimp) be in charge of prostitutes: The police try to break up illegal brothels when they can, using intelligence to track […]
Difference between Rule something off and Rule something out
rule something off—draw a straight line with a ruler after a piece of work: Rule off each exercise as you finish it. rule something out— 1. cancel an item on a list, etc. by drawing a line through it: Rule out that entry in the ledger, the transaction was cancelled. 2. make smth. impossible; prevent […]
Difference between Rub noses with someone and Rub someone’s nose in something
rub noses with someone—(coll.) associate or mix with people (also: rub elbows with someone): I might actually learn something, here. After all, this was my chance to rub noses with people who cared. rub someone’s nose in something—(coll.) remind a person humiliatingly of smth. such as an error, fault, oversight, etc.: There’s no need to […]
Difference between Row someone up Salt River and Send someone up the river
row someone up Salt River—(U.S.) defeat political opponents in an election, etc.: The distance to which a party is rowed up Salt River depends entirely upon the magnitude of the majority against its candidates. send someone up the river —(coll., also: send someone up) send a person to prison: The same judge sent him up […]
Difference between Round the bend and Round the corner
round the bend —(also: around the bend) 1. said of smth. about to happen very soon: The Harpoon Brewery’s annual two-day St. Patrick’s Festival is “round the bend”! 2. (coll.) crazy; insane: People’s initial reaction is to think that you must be round the bend. round the corner—(also: around the corner) = round the bend […]