Running is something we all do. Whether it’s a race at school, a quick dash to catch the bus, or just playing outside, running is part of life. But did you know people also use the word “running” in special ways when they talk? These special ways are called idioms. Idioms are phrases that don’t mean exactly what the words say. They have a different meaning that people understand from how they’re used.
In this article, we will learn about idioms that use the word “running.” These idioms show up in stories, shows, and everyday talk. You’ll see how people use them to explain ideas like being fast, working hard, or even trying to stay away from trouble. Idioms make talking more fun and can help you understand others better. Let’s take a look at some idioms for running and find out what they really mean.
Idioms For Running
1. Run out of steam
Meaning: To get tired and stop
Give an Instance: I ran out of steam halfway through the race. / She ran out of steam while doing homework.
Substitute Meaning: Got too tired / Lost energy
2. On the run
Meaning: Moving quickly or escaping
Give an Instance: The puppy was on the run after slipping outside. / We were on the run to make it to class on time.
Substitute Meaning: Hurrying / Trying to get away
3. Run around like a chicken with its head cut off
Meaning: To be very busy and confused
Give an Instance: Mom ran around like a chicken with its head cut off before the party. / I felt like that on test day.
Substitute Meaning: Rushing everywhere / Being too busy
4. Run the show
Meaning: To be in charge
Give an Instance: At the bake sale, Maya ran the show. / My teacher lets us take turns running the show during projects.
Substitute Meaning: Be the leader / Take charge
5. In the long run
Meaning: After a long time
Give an Instance: Studying now helps in the long run. / Eating healthy is good in the long run.
Substitute Meaning: In the end / Over time
6. Run for your life
Meaning: Run away fast from danger
Give an Instance: The goose chased us and we had to run for our lives! / When the bee came near, we ran for our lives.
Substitute Meaning: Escape quickly / Get away fast
7. Run into trouble
Meaning: To get into a difficult situation
Give an Instance: We ran into trouble when the science project broke. / He ran into trouble for being late.
Substitute Meaning: Got stuck / Faced problems
8. Run across
Meaning: To find or meet by surprise
Give an Instance: I ran across my old friend at the store. / We ran across a cool rock while hiking.
Substitute Meaning: Found by accident / Bumped into
9. Run with a crowd
Meaning: Spend time with a certain group
Give an Instance: He runs with the soccer team. / I run with kids who like books.
Substitute Meaning: Hang out with / Be part of a group
10. Run through something
Meaning: Practice or check quickly
Give an Instance: Let’s run through our play before the show. / We ran through our spelling words before the test.
Substitute Meaning: Review quickly / Go over fast
11. Run the risk
Meaning: To take a chance that might be bad
Give an Instance: If you skip studying, you run the risk of a bad grade. / He ran the risk of getting wet by not taking an umbrella.
Substitute Meaning: Take a chance / Might get in trouble
12. Run someone ragged
Meaning: To make someone very tired
Give an Instance: My little brother ran me ragged today. / The chores ran us ragged.
Substitute Meaning: Wore me out / Made really tired
13. Run off with
Meaning: To take something and leave quickly
Give an Instance: The dog ran off with my shoe! / She ran off with the last cookie.
Substitute Meaning: Took and left / Snatched and ran
14. Run in the family
Meaning: A trait shared by family members
Give an Instance: Being tall runs in our family. / Good singing voices run in her family.
Substitute Meaning: Passed down / Common in the family
15. Run wild
Meaning: Act without control
Give an Instance: The kids ran wild at recess. / My thoughts ran wild during the story.
Substitute Meaning: Out of control / Too excited
16. Run a tight ship
Meaning: To be very organized and strict
Give an Instance: My teacher runs a tight ship in class. / Coach runs a tight ship during practice.
Substitute Meaning: Keeps things strict / Very organized
17. Run the clock down
Meaning: Use all the time left
Give an Instance: The team ran the clock down to win. / I ran the clock down during the quiz.
Substitute Meaning: Use up time / Let time pass
18. Let emotions run high
Meaning: To feel strong emotions
Give an Instance: Emotions ran high during the school play. / At the game, emotions ran high.
Substitute Meaning: Feel deeply / Very emotional
19. Run a fever
Meaning: Have a high body temperature
Give an Instance: I had to stay home because I was running a fever. / She was running a fever and looked tired.
Substitute Meaning: Had a high temperature / Felt sick
20. Run errands
Meaning: To go out and do small tasks
Give an Instance: We ran errands like getting milk and picking up books. / Dad ran errands this morning.
Substitute Meaning: Do little jobs / Complete small tasks
21. Run down
Meaning: To become tired or broken
Give an Instance: My battery ran down. / I felt run down after the game.
Substitute Meaning: Got tired / Stopped working
22. Run deep
Meaning: To be strong or serious
Give an Instance: Their friendship runs deep. / My love for books runs deep.
Substitute Meaning: Very strong / Really important
23. Run a mile
Meaning: Try hard to avoid something
Give an Instance: I’d run a mile to skip broccoli. / He runs a mile from scary movies.
Substitute Meaning: Avoid quickly / Stay far away
24. Run hot and cold
Meaning: Keep changing mood or mind
Give an Instance: He runs hot and cold about soccer. / Her opinion runs hot and cold.
Substitute Meaning: Changes often / Not steady
25. Run out
Meaning: Use up all of something
Give an Instance: We ran out of glue during art. / I ran out of time on the test.
Substitute Meaning: All used up / Nothing left
26. Run a red light
Meaning: Break a rule or go too fast
Give an Instance: Don’t run a red light when biking. / He ran a red light and got in trouble.
Substitute Meaning: Broke the rule / Rushed through
27. Run through the motions
Meaning: Do something without care or feeling
Give an Instance: He ran through the motions during gym. / She ran through the motions while cleaning.
Substitute Meaning: Do without care / Not focused
28. Run away with
Meaning: Let thoughts or feelings control you
Give an Instance: My worries ran away with me. / His ideas ran away with him.
Substitute Meaning: Got carried away / Thought too much
29. Run low
Meaning: Almost gone
Give an Instance: We’re running low on pencils. / My energy is running low.
Substitute Meaning: Almost empty / Not much left
30. Let your imagination run wild
Meaning: Be very creative
Give an Instance: Let your imagination run wild in your story. / My imagination ran wild with the pictures.
Substitute Meaning: Think freely / Be creative
31. Run like the wind
Meaning: Run very fast
Give an Instance: She ran like the wind to win the race. / I ran like the wind to catch the bus.
Substitute Meaning: Ran super fast / Zoomed
32. Run out the door
Meaning: Leave quickly
Give an Instance: I ran out the door when I saw the ice cream truck. / He ran out the door late for school.
Substitute Meaning: Left fast / Rushed out
33. Run full speed
Meaning: Go as fast as possible
Give an Instance: The dog ran full speed across the yard. / I ran full speed to get in line.
Substitute Meaning: Super fast / Very quickly
34. Run late
Meaning: Be behind schedule
Give an Instance: I’m running late for class. / The bus ran late today.
Substitute Meaning: Delayed / Behind time
35. Run out the clock
Meaning: Use up all remaining time
Give an Instance: The team ran out the clock to win. / I ran out the clock during math.
Substitute Meaning: Let time pass / Used up all time
36. Run across someone
Meaning: See or meet by surprise
Give an Instance: I ran across my cousin at the park. / We ran across our teacher at the store.
Substitute Meaning: Bumped into / Met
37. Run for office
Meaning: Try to get elected
Give an Instance: I want to run for class president. / She ran for safety leader.
Substitute Meaning: Try to be elected / Campaign
38. Run parallel
Meaning: Go side by side
Give an Instance: Our ideas run parallel in the project. / The roads run parallel near the school.
Substitute Meaning: Match up / Go along
39. Run your mouth
Meaning: Talk too much
Give an Instance: He ran his mouth and got in trouble. / Don’t run your mouth during quiet time.
Substitute Meaning: Talk a lot / Talk carelessly
40. Run dry
Meaning: Be empty or used up
Give an Instance: The well ran dry last summer. / My ideas ran dry during writing time.
Substitute Meaning: Nothing left / All gone
41. Run up
Meaning: Add up quickly
Give an Instance: I ran up a big snack bill. / The score ran up fast.
Substitute Meaning: Increased / Got higher
42. Run with scissors
Meaning: Do something dangerous
Give an Instance: Don’t run with scissors, it’s not safe! / He was warned not to run with scissors.
Substitute Meaning: Be careful / Avoid danger
43. Run cold
Meaning: Not working or distant
Give an Instance: The trail ran cold during our scavenger hunt. / The fridge ran cold again.
Substitute Meaning: Stopped working / Not warm anymore
44. Run amok
Meaning: Act wildly
Give an Instance: Kids ran amok after recess. / The puppy ran amok in the living room.
Substitute Meaning: Went wild / Out of control
45. Run a campaign
Meaning: Try to win support
Give an Instance: She ran a campaign for student council. / We ran a campaign to collect cans.
Substitute Meaning: Try to win / Ask for votes
Find the “Idioms for Running”
Reading Passage
Last Friday, the fifth-grade class at Lincoln Elementary had a big day planned. It started when Jamie ran full speed down the hall, nearly missing the bell. “I’m running late!” he shouted as he flew past the lockers.
In class, the students ran through their science notes one last time before the quiz. Then, during the quiz, Morgan realized she had run out of time. “I knew I shouldn’t have let my mind run wild,” she whispered. She had spent too long dreaming about the school trip.
At recess, the kids ran like the wind to the playground. Some were playing tag, running off with each other’s hats and letting their giggles run free. Coach Thompson, who always runs a tight ship, called them in for a surprise fire drill. “We’ll run through the steps quickly,” he said.
Later, in art class, Ava let her imagination run wild. Her drawing showed cats running a pizza shop. Ms. Green laughed and said, “You really ran away with that idea!”
After school, Jamie told his friend, “I ran into trouble with the quiz, but in the long run, I know I’ll do better.”
Task for Students
Read the story again. Underline or list all the idioms about running you can find in the passage.
Answer Key
- Ran full speed
- Running late
- Ran through
- Run out of time
- Let my mind run wild
- Ran like the wind
- Running off with
- Runs a tight ship
- Let your imagination run wild
- Ran away with
- Ran into trouble
- In the long run
Conclusion
Idioms using the word “running” are fun and easy to remember. Even though they talk about running, they don’t always mean moving your feet. These phrases can describe feelings, actions, or problems.
By learning idioms like “run out of time” or “in the long run,” you can understand more of what people say and make your own talking or writing more fun. Keep an ear out you’ll hear these idioms all around you.
