I thought it was time for another Cliché Corner when I “ran” across this saying the other day – “run of the mill.” Of course, I asked our Cliché Corner contributor, Mary Pat, for her input. Here is what she found: “Run of the mill today means ordinary or average, but it originated as things produced by a mill or factory that were released before they were graded or checked for quality. The quality could be excellent, average, or poor – the purchaser had no idea.” Who knew?
That response prompted me to look into more expressions using “run” – there are a TON! I found several more at www.thoughtco.com/idioms-and-expressions-with-run-4117103, and https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/run.
Many, of course, have to do with movement, but some are . . . huh? “Run a tight ship,” “run a temperature,” and the one with which I started the post – to “run” across something. Can you think of more? Do you use any expressions using “run”?
How about “run into a friend,” “run into trouble,” and “run with the wrong crowd” to start it off?
Oh, wow. Run into is such as common phrase – I certainly hope I don’t, literally, run into a friend – we might not be friends after that! Now that I think about, we could bump into a friend, though.
But run with the wrong crowd is great! Does “hang out with the wrong crowd” mean the same thing?
Barbara, you are so much fun!
What about “give someone a run for their money” and “run into the ground”?
I’m glad you think this stuff is fun – I do! And your examples are great. I can imagine people running to compete for money – do you think that’s where this expression comes from? Run into the ground, though – is there running involved? Too much running means you become super tired? Wow – that one has me stumped.
Apparently, to want to get a “run for your money” comes from horse racing. You could bet on a horse, but then they were pulled before the race, so you didn’t get a “run” for your bet.
“Run into the ground” is supposedly from hunting and it meant to chase an animal all the way into the earth (for example, it’s burrow).
Ah, so both of theses expressions involve someone or something running. Thanks for letting us know!
A “ski run” involves movement, but not (I think?) actually running. I guess a “run in my stockings” also involves movement (that darn snag kept going!). 😉
Sorry about the “theses” . . . maybe I’ve made up a new word!
Another fun thought puzzle!! Thanks for the idiom links. They will go to good use.
Hey, Cindi, I’m glad the links will be useful. My friend, Claudia, who works at the Adult Literacy League, has been working on a “phrasal verb” project to help non-English speakers “get” our weird expressions. I can see, from this “run” puzzle, her project will be never ending!!
While talking with Claudia yesterday, I came up with another “run” expression – how about “I’ve run out of apples”? I hope no one expects me to run to the store (haha – there’s another one!) to get apples. Geez . . . 🙄😵
As usual Barbara, you could really run the gamut with this one! Fun stuff!!
Oh, No! There’s another one! Run the gamut – that’s great! I have no idea what that means.