run into the ground

run something into the ground

to treat something so badly or use something so much that you destroy it. I loaned her my car for 6 months and she ran it into the ground.

See also: ground, run

run into the ground (British & Australian)

if something such as an activity or a plan runs into the ground, it fails. The talks ran into the ground because the ceasefire was broken.

See also: ground, run

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run something into the ground

1. to use something so much that it does not work any more. I gave that car to my son and he ran it into the ground. It was a funny joke the first time he told it, but he ran it into the ground.

2. to cause something to become less successful. Unless she gets some help, she will probably run her business into the ground.

See also: ground, run

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run yourself into the ground

to do so much you become unable to do anything well. He'll run himself into the ground if he keeps working at this pace.

Usage notes: also used with other verbs: I tend to work myself into the ground.

See also: ground, run