run
verb
uk/rʌn/ usrunning | ran | run [ I or T ]
to operate, or make something operate:
Keep clear of the fans while they're running.
Do you know how to run this sort of machinery?
We've run the computer program, but nothing happens.
[ T ] MANAGEMENT
to be in control of or manage something:
He's been running his own company since he left school.
She left me to run the store while she went on her lunch break.
well-run/poorly-run
government-run/family-run/student-run The restaurant is a family-run business.
privately-run/publicly-run/professionally-run
[ I or T ] TRANSPORT
to travel or move in a particular way, or cause something to do this:
Trains are still running, despite the snow.
A bus runs into town three times a day.
We're running four more trains than usual to accommodate the high number of passengers.
[ I or T ]
to continue or happen, or cause something to continue or happen in a particular way:
A magazine subscription usually runs for one year.
We'll be running the course for another year.
run smoothly/run according to plan To ensure that these projects run smoothly, executives are now encouraged to attend training courses.
[ T ]
to take something to a person or place:
run sth over/out/down, etc. to sb/sth Can you run these orders over to the warehouse, please?
[ I ]
to be or continue at or near a particular level:
run at sth Inflation has been running at 2% for the past year.
Supplies are running low.
[ T ]
to show something in a newspaper or magazine, on television, etc.:
run a story/article/piece
They ran the advertisement on all the major networks for a month.
[ I ] POLITICS, GOVERNMENT
to try to be elected to government or other position in an election:
run for sth He ran for state Attorney General in 2010.
Meyers decided to run for office again the following year.
run against sb She is running against a multi-millionaire businessman.
run a check (on sb/sth)
to look through records to find out facts about someone or something:
We run background checks on all prospective employees.
run a test (on sth)
to perform a scientific examination to determine if something works, someone is healthy, etc.:
We ran performance tests on the preproduction machine, which performed well.
Doctors ran tests to try to determine if the workers' health problems were work-related.
run a deficit/surplus
ECONOMICS, GOVERNMENT
if a government runs a deficit or surplus, it has less or more money in its accounts than it needs:
The previous government was happy to run a huge deficit for years.
run a/the risk of doing sth
to be in a situation in which there is the possibility that something bad might happen:
A company without good customer service runs the risk of losing its customers' good will.
run a tight ship
to control a business or other organization firmly and effectively:
The woman who manages the post room runs a very tight ship.
run your eye over sth
to look quickly at the whole of something:
Would you mind running your eye over this agreement before I sign it?
be running late
to be unable to get to a place by the agreed or expected time
run around in circles informal
to be very active without achieving any good results:
Peter's been running round in circles since half his department resigned.
run out of time
to have no time left to finish something or get to a place:
We're running out of time - the report has to be ready for the meeting tonight.
run short (of sth)
to have a low supply of something:
Forecasting is crucial: you don't want to run short or have a warehouse of unsold product.
The online travel site denies that it is running short of cash.
run the numbers
FINANCE
to do calculations in order to decide whether a particular plan is financially practical:
She ran the numbers and decided to re-finance her mortgage.
run the rule over sth
to examine something to see if it is good enough or right for a particular purpose:
A number of bidders are understood to be running the rule over the company.
run the show informal
to be the leader in control of a group of people doing something:
If you need help, ask Mark - he's running the show.
See also
up adjective
Phrasal verbs
run across sb
run across sth
run around
run sth by/past sb
run down
run into sb
run into sth
run sth off
run on
run out
run over sth
run through sth
run to sth
run sth up
run up against sth
run with sth
run
noun [ C ]
uk/rʌn/ us PRODUCTION
all of a particular product made at one time:
The first run of 50,000 units sold out in a week.
The book had an initial print run of 3,000 copies.
Smaller production runs are likely to be needed.
a period when a series of good things or bad things happen:
a run of good/bad luck We've had quite a run of good luck this month.
a run on sth
COMMERCE
a period when people buy more of a particular product than usual:
The warm weather sparked a run on air conditioners.
ECONOMICS
a period when many people suddenly sell more of a particular currency than usual:
a run on the dollar/pound/yen A sudden run on the dollar has lowered its value.
a run on the bank
BANKING, FINANCE, ECONOMICS
a period when many people take their money out of a bank because they are afraid the bank will go out of business:
A run on the bank by customers drained about $133 million.
See also
bank run
bear run
bull run
cheque run
long-run
short-run
split run
test run