Running is something we all do, whether it’s for fun, exercise, or to win a race. In the USA, many people enjoy running in track events, fun runs, and even marathons. But did you know that we also use the word “run” in everyday phrases? These phrases are called idioms. They make our language more colorful and fun.
Idioms about running often describe people moving quickly or trying to keep up with life. Some sound funny, while others come from sports or races. These idioms help us say things in a more interesting way. In this article, you will learn some common running idioms, what they mean, and how to use them. Let’s get started!
Idioms About Running
1. Run like the wind
Meaning: To run very fast
Example Sentence:
• Jimmy ran like the wind to catch the school bus.
• She ran like the wind during the soccer game.
Other ways to say: Sprint fast, dash quickly
Fun Fact/Origin: This comes from how fast the wind moves—often used in sports.
Usage: Used when someone runs extremely fast.
2. In the long run
Meaning: Over a long period of time
Example Sentence:
• Studying now will help in the long run.
• Eating healthy pays off in the long run.
Other ways to say: Eventually, over time
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from long-distance races where the finish matters more than the start.
Usage: Used to talk about future results of actions.
3. Run for your life
Meaning: Run to escape danger
Example Sentence:
• The kids ran for their lives when the dog chased them.
• In the movie, they had to run for their lives from the fire.
Other ways to say: Escape fast, get away quickly
Fun Fact/Origin: Often used in scary or emergency situations.
Usage: Used when someone needs to escape quickly.
4. Run out of steam
Meaning: To become tired or lose energy
Example Sentence:
• He ran out of steam during the last lap.
• I ran out of steam after cleaning all day.
Other ways to say: Got tired, lost energy
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from old steam engines that slowed down when they lost pressure.
Usage: Used when someone gets too tired to keep going.
5. Run the show
Meaning: To be in charge
Example Sentence:
• Mom runs the show during family trips.
• The coach runs the show at practice.
Other ways to say: Take charge, be the leader
Fun Fact/Origin: Often used in business or team settings.
Usage: Used when someone leads or controls a group.
6. Run circles around
Meaning: To be much better or faster
Example Sentence:
• She ran circles around the other runners.
• That kid runs circles around me in math.
Other ways to say: Be better than, outdo
Fun Fact/Origin: It means someone is so fast they could run laps around another.
Usage: Used when someone performs much better than others.
7. Run amok
Meaning: To act wild or crazy
Example Sentence:
• The kids ran amok at the birthday party.
• The dog ran amok in the backyard.
Other ways to say: Go wild, act out
Fun Fact/Origin: “Amok” is a word from Malaysia that means “in a frenzy.”
Usage: Used when people or animals act out of control.
8. Run behind
Meaning: To be late
Example Sentence:
• We’re running behind for the movie.
• The bus ran behind because of traffic.
Other ways to say: Be late, delayed
Fun Fact/Origin: Often used when trying to keep a schedule.
Usage: Used when someone or something is not on time.
9. Run errands
Meaning: To go out to do small tasks
Example Sentence:
• Dad ran errands like getting groceries and mail.
• She ran errands before the school meeting.
Other ways to say: Do tasks, make stops
Fun Fact/Origin: This means small jobs you do while out of the house.
Usage: Used when someone leaves to complete everyday tasks.
10. Run its course
Meaning: To continue until finished
Example Sentence:
• The cold will run its course in a week.
• Let the storm run its course.
Other ways to say: Finish naturally, go on
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from race tracks where something travels a set path.
Usage: Used when letting something finish without stopping it.
11. Run a tight ship
Meaning: To manage something in a strict and organized way
Example Sentence:
• The teacher runs a tight ship in her classroom.
• Our coach runs a tight ship during practice.
Other ways to say: Stay strict, stay organized
Fun Fact/Origin: This comes from the navy, where ships had to be run carefully.
Usage: Used when someone is in charge and keeps things very orderly.
12. Run off at the mouth
Meaning: To talk too much
Example Sentence:
• He ran off at the mouth and got in trouble.
• Don’t run off at the mouth during quiet time.
Other ways to say: Talk too much, chatter
Fun Fact/Origin: This is a funny way of saying someone can’t stop talking.
Usage: Used when someone talks nonstop.
13. Hit the ground running
Meaning: To start something with energy and speed
Example Sentence:
• She hit the ground running on the first day of school.
• We hit the ground running when the game started.
Other ways to say: Start strong, jump into action
Fun Fact/Origin: Used in sports and business a lot.
Usage: Used when someone starts doing something quickly and well.
14. Run into trouble
Meaning: To face a problem
Example Sentence:
• We ran into trouble when the car broke down.
• He ran into trouble by skipping homework.
Other ways to say: Face problems, get in trouble
Fun Fact/Origin: Commonly used when things don’t go as planned.
Usage: Used when someone has a sudden problem.
15. Run on empty
Meaning: To have no energy left
Example Sentence:
• After a long day, I was running on empty.
• She kept going even while running on empty.
Other ways to say: Exhausted, out of energy
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from cars when they have no gas left.
Usage: Used when someone is very tired but still moving.
16. Make a run for it
Meaning: Try to escape quickly
Example Sentence:
• The dog made a run for it when the gate opened.
• They made a run for it when it started raining.
Other ways to say: Dash away, hurry off
Fun Fact/Origin: Used often in action movies or sports.
Usage: Used when someone runs away fast.
17. Run in the family
Meaning: A trait that many family members share
Example Sentence:
• Tall height runs in our family.
• Being good at sports runs in her family.
Other ways to say: Passed down, shared by relatives
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to traits or habits passed through generations.
Usage: Used to talk about shared family features.
18. Run wild
Meaning: To behave freely or without control
Example Sentence:
• The kids ran wild during recess.
• My imagination runs wild at night.
Other ways to say: Act freely, get out of control
Fun Fact/Origin: Often used when kids or animals play too wildly.
Usage: Used when someone behaves without limits.
19. Run someone ragged
Meaning: To make someone very tired
Example Sentence:
• The kids ran Grandma ragged all day.
• He was run ragged by all the errands.
Other ways to say: Wear out, exhaust
Fun Fact/Origin: It means to wear someone out like old cloth.
Usage: Used when someone is very tired because of others.
20. Run a mile
Meaning: To avoid something quickly
Example Sentence:
• He’d run a mile from doing chores.
• I’d run a mile from extra homework.
Other ways to say: Avoid fast, stay away
Fun Fact/Origin: Describes someone avoiding something like they’re in a race.
Usage: Used when someone really doesn’t want to do something.
21. Run deep
Meaning: To be strong or serious
Example Sentence:
• Her feelings run deep for her family.
• The river of trust runs deep.
Other ways to say: Strong, serious
Fun Fact/Origin: Like deep rivers, it means something is big or intense inside.
Usage: Used when something emotional is strong.
22. Run the risk
Meaning: To do something that might cause trouble
Example Sentence:
• You run the risk of slipping if you run on wet floors.
• He ran the risk of being late by sleeping in.
Other ways to say: Take a chance, face danger
Fun Fact/Origin: Used often when people take chances.
Usage: Used when someone does something risky.
23. Run hot and cold
Meaning: To change moods often
Example Sentence:
• She runs hot and cold with her friends.
• His feelings run hot and cold about the new school.
Other ways to say: Be moody, change often
Fun Fact/Origin: Like water going from hot to cold, moods can flip.
Usage: Used when someone changes their mind a lot.
24. Let it run its course
Meaning: Let something finish naturally
Example Sentence:
• The flu had to run its course.
• We let the game run its course.
Other ways to say: Let it finish, wait it out
Fun Fact/Origin: From race tracks—letting something go from start to finish.
Usage: Used when you don’t try to stop something.
25. Run afoul of
Meaning: To get in trouble with rules
Example Sentence:
• He ran afoul of school rules by skipping class.
• She ran afoul of the dress code.
Other ways to say: Break rules, get in trouble
Fun Fact/Origin: “Afoul” is an old word for getting tangled or in trouble.
Usage: Used when someone breaks rules.
26. Run riot
Meaning: To behave wildly or without control
Example Sentence:
• The students ran riot when the teacher stepped out.
• My cousins ran riot at the wedding.
Other ways to say: Go wild, act up
Fun Fact/Origin: Originally used in Britain to describe wild behavior.
Usage: Used when someone or a group acts out of control.
27. Run something by someone
Meaning: To tell or ask someone about an idea
Example Sentence:
• Can I run this idea by you before class?
• I ran my project idea by my dad.
Other ways to say: Ask, check with
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to presenting something quickly for feedback.
Usage: Used before making a decision or sharing ideas.
28. Run out of time
Meaning: To not have enough time left
Example Sentence:
• We ran out of time on our test.
• The team ran out of time to score.
Other ways to say: Time’s up, no time left
Fun Fact/Origin: Common in sports and school tests.
Usage: Used when time runs short.
29. Run the numbers
Meaning: To check facts or do math
Example Sentence:
• Let’s run the numbers before buying those shoes.
• She ran the numbers for her lemonade stand.
Other ways to say: Do math, calculate
Fun Fact/Origin: Used in business and budgeting.
Usage: Used when checking prices or amounts.
30. Run up against
Meaning: To face a problem
Example Sentence:
• They ran up against some tough questions on the test.
• We ran up against bad weather on the trip.
Other ways to say: Face trouble, meet a challenge
Fun Fact/Origin: Often used when unexpected problems come up.
Usage: Used when something blocks progress.
31. Run a fever
Meaning: To have a high body temperature
Example Sentence:
• He stayed home because he ran a fever.
• She ran a fever after getting sick.
Other ways to say: Be sick, feel hot
Fun Fact/Origin: “Running” here means carrying something—like heat.
Usage: Used when someone has a fever.
32. Run with an idea
Meaning: To take an idea and act on it
Example Sentence:
• She ran with her idea and won the contest.
• He ran with the plan and finished early.
Other ways to say: Go ahead, take action
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from sports—when you grab the ball and go.
Usage: Used when someone takes action on a new thought.
33. Run out the clock
Meaning: To use time to delay the end
Example Sentence:
• The team ran out the clock to keep their lead.
• He ran out the clock during the game.
Other ways to say: Delay, waste time
Fun Fact/Origin: Common in football and basketball.
Usage: Used when people use time to their advantage.
34. Run second fiddle
Meaning: To be less important than someone else
Example Sentence:
• He was tired of running second fiddle on the team.
• She didn’t want to run second fiddle in the group project.
Other ways to say: Be in second place, play backup
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from orchestras where the second fiddle is not the lead.
Usage: Used when someone feels overlooked.
35. Run a red light
Meaning: To break a rule or go ahead when not allowed
Example Sentence:
• He got a ticket for running a red light.
• You shouldn’t run a red light even if you’re late.
Other ways to say: Break rules, go ahead too soon
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from traffic lights.
Usage: Used when someone ignores warning signs.
36. Run someone down
Meaning: To say bad things or criticize
Example Sentence:
• Don’t run your teammates down.
• She ran him down in front of everyone.
Other ways to say: Talk bad about, insult
Fun Fact/Origin: Also used to describe physical collisions.
Usage: Used when someone puts others down.
37. Run a mile wide and an inch deep
Meaning: To know a little about a lot of things
Example Sentence:
• He runs a mile wide and an inch deep—lots of ideas, not much detail.
• That show runs wide and shallow on topics.
Other ways to say: Surface-level, know just a bit
Fun Fact/Origin: A saying about spreading knowledge too thin.
Usage: Used when someone knows many things but not in detail.
38. Run a temperature
Meaning: Another way to say someone has a fever
Example Sentence:
• She didn’t go to school—she was running a temperature.
• He felt weak and ran a temperature.
Other ways to say: Sick, not well
Fun Fact/Origin: A soft way to say someone is sick.
Usage: Used in health talk, especially with kids.
39. Run thin
Meaning: To become less or nearly gone
Example Sentence:
• Our snacks are running thin.
• My patience is running thin.
Other ways to say: Almost gone, wearing out
Fun Fact/Origin: Often used for supplies or emotions.
Usage: Used when something is running low.
40. Run down the clock
Meaning: To waste time intentionally
Example Sentence:
• They ran down the clock to win.
• He ran down the clock so the test would end.
Other ways to say: Use time up, stall
Fun Fact/Origin: Used a lot in sports and games.
Usage: Used when people delay for time advantage.
41. Run short
Meaning: To not have enough of something
Example Sentence:
• We ran short of paper during the craft.
• They ran short of snacks at the party.
Other ways to say: Not enough, running low
Fun Fact/Origin: Common in shopping and planning.
Usage: Used when something is about to run out.
42. Run dry
Meaning: To be completely gone
Example Sentence:
• My juice ran dry during lunch.
• The river ran dry in summer.
Other ways to say: All gone, no more left
Fun Fact/Origin: Used for wells, rivers, or ideas.
Usage: Used when something ends or finishes.
43. Run on fumes
Meaning: To keep going with little energy
Example Sentence:
• I was running on fumes after gym class.
• She finished her chores running on fumes.
Other ways to say: Very tired, nearly out of energy
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from cars running with almost no gas.
Usage: Used when someone is barely hanging on.
44. Run with the pack
Meaning: To follow the crowd
Example Sentence:
• He ran with the pack instead of being himself.
• She didn’t want to run with the pack anymore.
Other ways to say: Follow others, blend in
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from wolves or animals moving in groups.
Usage: Used when someone follows a group instead of leading.
45. Run of the mill
Meaning: Average or not special
Example Sentence:
• That game was just run of the mill.
• The cookies were good but run of the mill.
Other ways to say: Normal, nothing special
Fun Fact/Origin: From old mills where most products looked the same.
Usage: Used when something is just okay, not amazing.
Quiz: Idioms About Running
Instructions: Choose the best meaning for each idiom. Each question has only one correct answer. Pick the one that fits best. These idioms are all about running and are used often in the USA.
Question Key
1. What does “run like the wind” mean?
A) Run slowly
B) Run very fast
C) Run in circles
2. What does “run out of steam” mean?
A) Have too much energy
B) Start a race
C) Get tired and lose energy
3. If someone says “he hit the ground running,” what do they mean?
A) He fell down
B) He started something quickly and with energy
C) He ran outside
4. What does it mean to “run errands”?
A) Run a race
B) Do small tasks outside the house
C) Go to the playground
5. What does “run behind” mean?
A) Be late
B) Walk slowly
C) Be very early
6. If someone “runs the show,” what are they doing?
A) Watching TV
B) Sleeping
C) Leading or being in charge
7. What does “make a run for it” mean?
A) Eat lunch
B) Escape quickly
C) Sit quietly
8. If a team “runs out the clock,” what are they doing?
A) Speeding up the game
B) Trying to delay until time runs out
C) Setting a timer
9. What does “run into trouble” mean?
A) Get into a problem
B) Run fast
C) Win a prize
10. What does “run wild” mean?
A) Sit and read quietly
B) Play calmly
C) Act without control
11. What does “run on empty” mean?
A) Having no fuel or energy left
B) Being full of energy
C) Running with a backpack
12. If you “run a tight ship,” what does that mean?
A) Work at a boat shop
B) Stay very organized and strict
C) Always go fishing
13. What does “run someone ragged” mean?
A) Make someone very tired
B) Help someone relax
C) Teach someone to run
14. What does “run short” mean?
A) Have lots of something
B) Be out of time or items
C) Grow taller
15. What does “run with the pack” mean?
A) Do something alone
B) Lead a team
C) Follow what others are doing
Answer Key
- B – Run very fast
- C – Get tired and lose energy
- B – He started something quickly and with energy
- B – Do small tasks outside the house
- A – Be late
- C – Leading or being in charge
- B – Escape quickly
- B – Trying to delay until time runs out
- A – Get into a problem
- C – Act without control
- A – Having no fuel or energy left
- B – Stay very organized and strict
- A – Make someone very tired
- B – Be out of time or items
- C – Follow what others are doing
Wrapping Up
Running idioms are fun and used a lot in the USA. They help describe speed, action, or how someone feels. Whether you’re talking about being tired, starting fast, or following the crowd, there’s an idiom for it. Try using some of these in your writing or conversations.
The next time you “hit the ground running,” you’ll know exactly what it means.
