running

be in the running

if you are in the running for something, you are in a good position to win it or achieve it. This film must be in the running for a Best Picture Oscar. (often + for)

be running on empty (informal)

1. to continue to work and be active when you have no energy left. I get the impression he's been running on empty for months now. A holiday will do him good.

2. if a person or an organization is running on empty, they have no new ideas or are not as effective as they were before. The fund-raising campaign was running on empty after ten years under the same leader.

See also: empty

be up and running

if a system, an organization, or a machine is up and running, it is established and working. Until the new computer system is up and running we will have to work on paper.

do/make (all) the running (British)

to be the person who causes things to happen and develop. Men are no longer expected to do all the running at the beginning of a relationship. If we want this campaign to be a success, it's up to us to make the running.

hit the ground running (mainly American)

to immediately work very hard and successfully at a new activity. If elected, they promise to hit the ground running in their first few weeks of office.

See also: ground, hit

out of the running

be in the running - if you are in the running for something, you are in a good position to win it or achieve it. Her poor health has put her out of the running for the election.

a running battle

if you have a running battle with someone, you have an argument that continues over a long period of time. I've had a running battle with the neighbours over their kids throwing stones over the fence. (often + with)

See also: battle

(Go) take a running jump! (informal)

an impolite way of telling someone to go away or that you will not give them something they want. 'Jim wants to borrow your new CD.' 'Tell him to take a running jump.'

See also: jump, take

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hit the ground running

to be ready to work immediately on a new activity. His previous experience will allow him to hit the ground running when he takes over the Commerce Department.

See also: ground, hit

in the running

having a chance to win. This movie must be in the running for best documentary.

Usage notes: said about a competition or election

out of the running

off and running

started and doing well. The company is off and running with its new cable television operation. The band played on a Monday night and broke the nightclub's attendance record, and after that they were off and running.

out of the running

with no chance to win. This defeat puts Williams out of the running for the trophy.

a running battle (with someone/something)

an argument or fight that continues for a long time. Flynn has fought a running battle with the tobacco company over its advertisements.

See also: battle

running on empty

lacking energy or enthusiasm. He's been running on empty for months now — a vacation will do him good. The program to build low-cost housing has not attracted much support and is running on empty.

on automatic pilot

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of running on empty (= operating a car with almost no fuel)

See also: empty

running on fumes

continuing to do something when you have almost no energy left. After two straight games against top teams, the Tigers were running on fumes and lost on Saturday night.

up and running

actively working. My computer was finally up and running again, and I could attack the huge batch of work I had to finish. It took several years to get his law practice up and running.