Running isn’t just something we do with our legs. In English, we often use the word “running” in sayings to describe moving quickly, being busy, or keeping things going. These sayings are called idioms. Idioms don’t always mean exactly what the words say. Instead, they give us a fun or smart way to talk about actions or ideas.
In this article, we’ll learn idioms that include the word “running.” These idioms are used to talk about rushing, managing time, or even handling big jobs. They can help us explain what we’re doing or how we feel in a clear and creative way. Let’s take a look at some running idioms and see what they really mean.
Idioms for Running
1. Running late
Meaning: Not on time.
Samples: I’m running late for school. / She was running late to the party.
To Put it Another Way: I’m behind schedule. / She’s not going to make it on time.
2. Running out of time
Meaning: Not much time left.
Samples: We’re running out of time to finish the test. / He was running out of time before bedtime.
To Put it Another Way: Time is almost up. / We don’t have much time left.
3. Running around
Meaning: Being very busy and active.
Samples: Mom was running around getting things ready. / I spent the day running around doing chores.
To Put it Another Way: She was very busy. / I had a lot to do.
4. Hit the ground running
Meaning: Start something quickly and with energy.
Samples: She hit the ground running on the first day of school. / He hit the ground running with his science project.
To Put it Another Way: She got started fast. / He jumped right in.
5. Keep the ball rolling
Meaning: Continue something that’s already going.
Samples: Let’s keep the ball rolling with the group project. / He kept the ball rolling after the meeting started.
To Put it Another Way: Let’s keep going. / Don’t stop now.
6. Run the show
Meaning: Be in charge.
Samples: She ran the show during the play. / He likes to run the show at recess.
To Put it Another Way: She was the leader. / He was in control.
7. Run into trouble
Meaning: Have a problem.
Samples: We ran into trouble with our robot. / He ran into trouble while coding.
To Put it Another Way: Something went wrong. / We had an issue.
8. Running on empty
Meaning: Very tired or out of energy.
Samples: After the hike, I was running on empty. / He’s running on empty after studying all night.
To Put it Another Way: I’m really tired. / He has no energy left.
9. In the long run
Meaning: Over time; eventually.
Samples: In the long run, studying pays off. / It might be hard now, but it will help in the long run.
To Put it Another Way: Later, it will help. / In the future, it matters.
10. Run-of-the-mill
Meaning: Ordinary, not special.
Samples: The book was just run-of-the-mill. / His idea seemed kind of run-of-the-mill.
To Put it Another Way: It was nothing special. / It was average.
11. Running wild
Meaning: Acting out of control.
Samples: The kids were running wild after the bell rang. / My dog ran wild in the yard.
To Put it Another Way: They were going crazy. / Not being calm.
12. Run out of steam
Meaning: Lose energy or strength.
Samples: I ran out of steam halfway through cleaning. / She ran out of steam during practice.
To Put it Another Way: I got too tired to keep going. / She lost energy.
13. Run through
Meaning: Go over something quickly.
Samples: Let’s run through our lines before the play. / He ran through the steps for the project.
To Put it Another Way: Let’s review it fast. / Go over it quickly.
14. Run for it
Meaning: Escape quickly.
Samples: We had to run for it when the rain started. / He saw the ball rolling away and ran for it.
To Put it Another Way: Hurry and move fast. / Go quickly.
15. Run a tight ship
Meaning: Be very organized and strict.
Samples: The teacher runs a tight ship in her classroom. / He runs a tight ship when it comes to cleaning.
To Put it Another Way: Very neat and in control. / Everything must go right.
16. Run in the family
Meaning: Something that is common in a family.
Samples: Musical talent runs in the family. / Kindness runs in her family.
To Put it Another Way: Everyone in the family has it. / It’s passed down.
17. Run ragged
Meaning: Be worn out from doing too much.
Samples: I was run ragged after helping all day. / Mom was run ragged by the weekend chores.
To Put it Another Way: Really tired from too much to do. / Completely worn out.
18. Let something run its course
Meaning: Allow something to happen naturally.
Samples: The cold had to run its course. / We let the discussion run its course.
To Put it Another Way: Let it finish on its own. / Don’t stop it early.
19. Run the risk
Meaning: Take a chance that something bad might happen.
Samples: If you skip breakfast, you run the risk of feeling sick. / He ran the risk by not studying.
To Put it Another Way: There’s a chance something will go wrong. / It could cause trouble.
20. Run behind
Meaning: Be late or delayed.
Samples: We’re running behind on our science project. / The movie is running behind schedule.
To Put it Another Way: We’re not on time. / Things are taking longer than expected.
21. Run on
Meaning: Continue for too long.
Samples: His story ran on for ten minutes. / The lesson ran on longer than usual.
To Put it Another Way: It went too long. / It didn’t stop soon.
22. Run away with
Meaning: Win or take something quickly and easily.
Samples: She ran away with the spelling contest. / The team ran away with the game.
To Put it Another Way: She won fast. / They had an easy win.
23. Running joke
Meaning: A joke that’s told again and again.
Samples: It became a running joke in our class. / That silly mistake is now a running joke.
To Put it Another Way: A joke everyone keeps repeating. / A funny thing that goes on.
24. Run on luck
Meaning: Keep going by chance or good fortune.
Samples: He was running on luck in that video game. / I felt like I was running on luck during the quiz.
To Put it Another Way: Things worked out by chance. / Luck was helping.
25. Run with it
Meaning: Take an idea and go forward with it.
Samples: That’s a great plan run with it! / She took the suggestion and ran with it.
To Put it Another Way: Use the idea. / Go ahead and make it happen.
26. Run dry
Meaning: Have nothing left (like time, ideas, or supplies).
Samples: We ran dry on snacks. / My ideas ran dry halfway through the essay.
To Put it Another Way: We had no more. / I couldn’t think of anything else.
27. Run short
Meaning: Not have enough.
Samples: We ran short on glue for the project. / She ran short on time during the quiz.
To Put it Another Way: Didn’t have enough. / Not plenty.
28. Run errands
Meaning: Go out to do small tasks.
Samples: I had to run errands after school. / Mom asked me to run errands at the store.
To Put it Another Way: Go do little jobs. / Finish small tasks.
29. Run your mouth
Meaning: Talk too much or say things you shouldn’t.
Samples: He got in trouble for running his mouth in class. / Don’t run your mouth about surprises!
To Put it Another Way: Talk without thinking. / Say too much.
30. Run like clockwork
Meaning: Go smoothly and without problems.
Samples: The field trip ran like clockwork. / Everything ran like clockwork during the school play.
To Put it Another Way: It went perfectly. / Everything worked just right.
Find the Topics: Idioms for Running
Reading Passage: “Running the School Dance”
The school dance was just an hour away, and Maria was running around trying to get everything ready. The music was behind schedule, and snacks were running short. “We’re running out of time,” she told her friend Lucas, who was also running on empty after staying late the night before.
“Let’s just hit the ground running and fix what we can,” Lucas said. They both started checking the decorations and lights. As they worked, Maria kept the ball rolling by assigning jobs to other students. It was a lot to handle, but she ran the show like a pro.
By the time students arrived, everything ran like clockwork. Later, Maria laughed, “That could have gone south, but we ran with it and made it work.”
Your Task:
Can you underline or list all 8 idioms for running used in the passage?
Answer Key
- Running around
- Running short
- Running out of time
- Running on empty
- Hit the ground running
- Keep the ball rolling
- Run the show
- Ran like clockwork
- Ran with it
Conclusion
Idioms that use the word “running” help us describe all kinds of things, busy days, quick actions, and even how smoothly things are going. These phrases make our language more fun and clearer to others.
When we use running idioms, we can explain feelings and situations in simple, creative ways. The next time you’re late, tired, or getting something done quickly, try using one of these idioms. It might help you share your story better.
