American English

enthusiasm

en‧thu‧si‧as‧m W3 /ɪnˈθjuːziæzəm $ ɪnˈθuː-/ BrE AmE noun
[Word Family: noun: ↑enthusiasm, ↑enthusiast; verb: ↑enthuse; adverb: ↑enthusiastically ≠ UNENTHUSIASTICALLY; adjective: ↑enthusiastic ≠ UNENTHUSIASTIC]
[Date: 1500-1600; Language: Greek; Origin: enthousiasmos, from entheos 'filled (by a god) with sudden strong abilities', from theos 'god']
1. [uncountable] a strong feeling of interest and enjoyment about something and an eagerness to be involved in it:
Gillian and Darren greeted the speakers with great enthusiasm.
We went along to the local diving club, full of enthusiasm.
They go about their tasks with little enthusiasm.
enthusiasm for
Britain’s apparent lack of enthusiasm for such a scheme
Employers showed little enthusiasm for the new regulations.
He shares your enthusiasm for jazz.
I left university fired with enthusiasm for work.
A delay of two hours did not dampen their enthusiasm.
2. [countable] formal an activity or subject that someone is very interested in

COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ have enthusiasm He never had much enthusiasm for work.
▪ show enthusiasm The younger children showed little enthusiasm for the game.
▪ lose (your) enthusiasm The diet started well, but I lost enthusiasm after a while.
▪ arouse/generate enthusiasm formal (=make people feel enthusiastic) The changes to the timetable failed to arouse enthusiasm amongst the staff.
▪ dampen sb’s enthusiasm (=cause people to be unenthusiastic) The rain had dampened our enthusiasm.
▪ share sb’s enthusiasm I’m afraid I don’t share my husband’s enthusiasm for camping.
▪ fire sb’s enthusiasm (=make someone feel very enthusiastic) At high school, Mr Jones really fired my enthusiasm for history.
■ adjectives
▪ infectious (=spreading from one person to another) Her enthusiasm was infectious.
▪ great/much/considerable enthusiasm There was considerable enthusiasm for the idea of a party.
▪ enormous/tremendous enthusiasm He always plays with tremendous enthusiasm.
▪ genuine/real enthusiasm She talked about the project with genuine enthusiasm.
▪ boundless/unbounded enthusiasm formal (=very great) I’d like to thank the design team for their boundless enthusiasm.
▪ little enthusiasm (=not much enthusiasm) In the nearby villages, there’s little enthusiasm for the airport.
▪ initial enthusiasm (=happening at the beginning, but not lasting) After a few months, their initial enthusiasm had started to wane.
▪ renewed enthusiasm (=starting again, with increased energy or interest) After lunch, she went about the task with renewed enthusiasm.
▪ youthful enthusiasm (=enthusiasm that is typical of young people) The team has just the right mix of youthful enthusiasm and experience.
■ phrases
▪ with/without enthusiasm The proposal has been greeted with enthusiasm by both parties.
▪ (be) full of enthusiasm (=very enthusiastic) He entered politics full of enthusiasm, but that gradually disappeared.
▪ be brimming/bursting/bubbling with enthusiasm (=be very excited and enthusiastic) Andrea’s voice was brimming with enthusiasm when she told John her plans.
▪ be fired (up) with enthusiasm (=be very enthusiastic and keen to do something) She came back from the course fired up with enthusiasm.
▪ a wave/burst/surge of enthusiasm (=a sudden feeling of enthusiasm) The new year began with a fresh wave of enthusiasm.
▪ a lack of enthusiasm My lack of enthusiasm for his suggestion made him angry.

II. up‧load² /ˈʌpləʊd $ -loʊd/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
information, computer programs etc that have been uploaded, or the process of uploading them OPP download:
tips on handling file uploads

THESAURUS
■ Actions when using a computer
▪ start up/boot up to make a computer start working: I’m having problems starting up my computer.
▪ log on/in to start using a computer system by typing your name and password: He logged on and read his emails.
▪ click on something to press a button on a computer mouse to choose a program, file etc from the screen: When you click on the link, it sends you to the company’s website.
▪ install to add new software to a computer so that the software is ready to be used: All users should install anti-virus software.
▪ download to move information, pictures, or music from the Internet onto your computer: You can download MP3 files.
▪ upload to move information, pictures, or music from your computer to a different computer across the Internet: Sites such as YouTube allow you to upload your own videos.
▪ open to make a file or program ready to use: Open a new file and type in the information.
▪ scroll up/down to move information on a computer screen up or down so that you can read it: Scroll down to read the questions and answers.
▪ enter to type information into a computer: The program requires you to enter a password.
▪ delete to remove information from a computer: I’ve deleted his email. | When you delete a file, it first gets moved to the recycle bin.
▪ cut and paste to remove information from one place and put it in another place: Tutors are looking out for students who cut and paste their essays from the Internet.
▪ save to make a computer keep the work that you have done on it: Make sure you save any work you do before you shut the computer down.
▪ close to stop having a file or program ready to use: To close the window, click on the ‘X’ in the top right-hand corner of the screen.
▪ log off/out to stop using a computer system by giving it particular instructions: I get an error message when I log off.
▪ shut down to make a computer stop working: Employees should shut their computers down at the end of each day.
▪ restart/reboot to make a computer start working again: Wait a few minutes before rebooting your computer.

upload

I. up‧load¹ /ʌpˈləʊd $ -ˈloʊd/ BrE AmE verb [intransitive and transitive]
if information, a computer program etc uploads, or if you upload it, you move it from a small computer to a computer network so that other people can see it or use it OPP download:
It might take a while for this to upload.

congratulation

con‧grat‧u‧la‧tion S3 /kənˌɡrætʃəˈleɪʃən, kənˌɡrætʃʊˈleɪʃən/ BrE AmE noun
1. congratulations
a) used when you want to congratulate someone:
‘I’ve just passed my driving test!’ ‘Congratulations!’
congratulations on
Congratulations on a superb performance!
b) words saying you are happy that someone has achieved something:
Give Oscar my congratulations.
2. [uncountable] when you tell someone that you are happy because they have achieved something or because something nice has happened to them:
letters of congratulation

hold

I. hold¹ S1 W1 /həʊld $ hoʊld/ BrE AmE verb (past tense and past participle held /held/)
[Word Family: noun: ↑hold, ↑holder, ↑holding; verb: ↑hold]
[Language: Old English; Origin: healdan]
1. IN YOUR HAND/ARMS
a) [transitive] to have something in your hand, hands, or arms:
Could you hold my bag for me?
hold something in your hand/arms
He was holding a knife in one hand.
I held the baby in my arms.
hold hands (=hold each other’s hands)
They sat holding hands under a tree.
hold somebody close/tightly (=with your arms around someone)
Max held her close and wiped away her tears.
b) [transitive always + adverb/preposition] to move your hand or something in your hand in a particular direction
hold something out/up etc
He held out his hand to help her to her feet.
Hold the picture up so we can see it.
2. EVENT [transitive] to have a meeting, party, election etc in a particular place or at a particular time:
This year’s conference will be held at the Hilton Hotel.
A thanksgiving ceremony was held to mark the occasion.
The funeral was held on a grey day in November.
In April, the President held talks with Chinese leaders.
3. KEEP SOMETHING IN POSITION [transitive] to make something stay in a particular position
hold something open/up etc
We used rolled-up newspapers to hold the windows open.
Remember to hold your head up and keep your back straight.
hold something in place/position
A couple of screws should hold it in place.
Lift your head off the floor and hold this position for five seconds.
4. JOB/TITLE [transitive]
a) to have a particular job or position, especially an important one:
Do you really think he’s capable of holding such a responsible position?
hold the post/position/office etc (of something)
She was the first woman to hold the office of Australian state premier.
The governor had held the post since 1989.
Whoever is elected will hold office (=have an important political position) for four years.
b) to have a particular title or record, because you have won a competition, are the best at something etc:
The programme still holds the record for the longest running TV series.
The last Briton to hold the title was Bert Nicholson.
5. KEEP/STORE [transitive] to keep something to be used when it is needed:
Further copies of the book are held in the library.
Weapons were held at various sites.
6. KEEP SOMETHING AVAILABLE FOR SOMEBODY [transitive] to agree not to give something such as a ticket, a place at a restaurant, a job etc to anyone except a particular person:
We can hold the reservation for you until next Friday.
hold something open
You can’t expect them to hold the job open for much longer – you’ll have to decide whether you want it or not.
7. KEEP SOMEBODY SOMEWHERE [transitive] to keep someone somewhere, and not allow them to leave:
Police are holding two men in connection with the robbery.
hold somebody prisoner/hostage/captive
A senior army officer was held hostage for four months.
hold somebody incommunicado (=keep someone somewhere and not allow them to communicate with anyone)
8. OPINION [transitive not in progressive] to have a particular opinion or belief:
Experts hold varying opinions as to the causes of the disease.
be widely/generally/commonly held (=be the opinion of a lot of people)
This view is not widely held.
be held to be something
She was held to be one of the most talented actors of her time.
hold that
The judge held that the child’s interests in this case must come first.
9. hold somebody responsible/accountable/liable (for something) to say or decide that someone should accept the responsibility for something bad that happens:
If anything happens to her, I’ll hold you personally responsible.
He may have had a terrible childhood, but he should still be held accountable for his own actions.
10. OWN SOMETHING [transitive] to officially own or possess money, a document, a company etc:
He holds shares in ICI.
Do you hold a valid passport?
a privately held company
11. CONTAIN A PARTICULAR AMOUNT [transitive not in progressive] to have the space to contain a particular amount of something:
The movie theater holds 500 people.
The tank should hold enough to last us a few days.
12. SUPPORT [intransitive and transitive] to be strong enough to support the weight of something or someone:
Careful! I’m not sure that branch will hold you.
The bridge didn’t look as though it would hold.
13. STAY AT SAME LEVEL [intransitive and transitive] to stay at a particular amount, level, or rate, or to make something do this:
The bank is holding interest rates at 4%.
Since then, the pound has held steady against the dollar.
hold sb’s interest/attention (=make someone stay interested)
Colourful pictures help hold the students’ interest.
14. NOT CHANGE [intransitive] to continue to be true, good, available etc:
What I said yesterday holds.
Does your invitation still hold?
hold true/good
Twenty years on, his advice still holds good.
weather/luck holds (out) (=continues to be good)
If our luck holds, we could reach the final.
15. STOP/DELAY [transitive] spoken used in particular phrases to tell someone to wait or not to do something:
I’ll have a tuna fish sandwich please – and hold the mayo (=do not give me any).
hold it!
Hold it! We’re not quite ready.
hold your horses! (=used to tell someone to do something more slowly or carefully)
16. hold your head up (also hold your head high) to behave as if you are proud of yourself or respect yourself:
They may have lost the game, but I still think they’ve earned the right to hold their heads high today.
17. hold your breath
a) to deliberately not breathe out for a short time:
Hold your breath and count to ten.
b) to not breathe out and try not to make a sound because you do not want to be noticed:
Julie shrank back against the wall and held her breath.
c) not hold your breath spoken used to say that you do not expect something to happen, even though someone has said it will:
He promised he’d phone, but I’m not holding my breath.
18. hold (your) fire
a) to not shoot at someone when you were going to
b) to not criticize, attack, or oppose someone when you were going to:
The President urged his party to hold fire on the issue a few days longer.
19. TELEPHONE [intransitive] (also hold the line) spoken to wait until the person you have telephoned is ready to answer:
Mr Stevens is busy at the moment – would you like to hold?
Please hold the line while I transfer you.
20. ARMY [transitive] if an army holds a place, it controls it or defends it from attack:
The French army held the town for three days.
21. MUSICAL NOTE [transitive] to make a musical note continue for a particular length of time
22. FUTURE [transitive] formal if the future holds something, that is what may happen:
Thousands of workers are waiting to see what the future holds.
23. HAVE A QUALITY [transitive] formal to have a particular quality
hold (little) interest/appeal/promise etc
Many church services hold little appeal for modern tastes.
24. hold your own (against somebody) to successfully defend yourself or succeed in a difficult situation, competition etc:
He was a good enough player to hold his own against the Americans.
25. not hold a candle to somebody/something to be much worse than someone or something else
26. be left holding the baby British English, be left holding the bag American English to be left as the only person responsible for dealing with a difficult situation, especially something someone else started:
He was left holding the financial baby when his musical partner joined another band.
27. hold sway to have a lot of influence or power:
Among people here, traditional values still hold sway.
28. hold court to get the attention of everyone while you are talking, especially when you are trying to entertain people:
Joey would walk into the bar and hold court all night.
29. hold your tongue spoken used to tell someone to stop talking or to not tell someone about something:
I reckon you’ve just got to learn to hold your tongue.
30. hold all the cards to have all the advantages in a situation in which people are competing or arguing:
‘There’s not much we can do. They seem to hold all the cards,’ said Dan gloomily.
31. hold fast (to something) to keep believing strongly in something
32. hold a conversation to have a conversation
33. hold the fort to be responsible for something while the person usually responsible for it is not there:
She’s holding the fort while the manager’s on holiday.
34. hold the lead/advantage to be winning in a competition, game etc:
Celtic held the lead in the first half.
35. there’s no holding somebody (back) spoken used to say that someone is so determined to do something that you cannot prevent them from doing it
36. can hold your drink/liquor/alcohol etc to be able to drink a lot of alcohol without getting drunk or ill
37. not hold water if an excuse, a statement etc does not hold water, it does not seem to be true or reasonable
38. hold something/somebody dear formal to care about something or someone a lot:
We were facing the loss of everything we held dear.
39. hold the road if a car holds the road well, you can drive it quickly around bends without losing control
⇨ hold a course at ↑course¹(8)
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ hold to have something in your hand, hands, or arms: Maria came in holding a letter. | Can I hold the baby?
▪ grip to hold something very tightly and not let it go: He gripped her arm so she couldn’t walk away. | Jenny gripped the side of the boat to steady herself.
▪ clutch to hold something tightly, especially because you do not want to drop or lose it: A businessman hurried past, clutching his briefcase. | The little girl clutched onto his hand.
▪ clasp written to hold someone or something tightly, closing your fingers or arms around them: She was clasping a bunch of small summer flowers. | He clasped her in his arms and kissed her.
▪ get/take hold of something to take something in your hand or hands and hold it: I took hold of the handle and pulled as hard as I could. | Quickly – try and get hold of that frog!
▪ grasp written to take hold of something firmly, especially in a determined way: She grasped the lowest branch and pulled herself up into the tree.
▪ grab to take hold of something suddenly and often violently: He grabbed my bag and ran off with it. | The other man grabbed hold of (=suddenly took hold of ) my arms and threatened me with a knife.
▪ seize /siːz/ written to take hold of something suddenly and often violently: A police officer ran after him and seized the gun.
▪ hang on (to something) to hold on to something or someone tightly to support yourself: He hung on to the rail at the back of the motorbike. | Hang on tight!
▪ keep hold of something to continue to hold something: Greg was struggling to keep hold of the dog. | She tried to take her hand away but he kept hold of it.
hold something against somebody phrasal verb
to continue to dislike someone or not forgive them because of something bad they have done in the past:
You can’t still hold that against him, surely?
hold back phrasal verb
1. hold somebody/something ↔ back to make someone or something stop moving forward:
Police in riot gear held back the demonstrators.
2. hold something ↔ back to stop yourself from feeling or showing a particular emotion:
She struggled to hold back her tears.
Anger flooded through her. She couldn’t hold it back.
3. hold somebody/something ↔ back to prevent someone or something from making progress:
They felt the British economy was being held back by excessive government controls.
4. hold (somebody) back to be unwilling to do something, especially because you are being careful, or to make someone unwilling to do something:
In the current situation many investors are holding back.
She wanted to tell him but pride held her back.
5. hold something ↔ back to keep something secret:
Tell me all about it – don’t hold anything back!
hold somebody/something ↔ down phrasal verb
1. to make someone or something stay on something, and stop them from moving away or escaping:
We had to hold the tent down with rocks to stop it blowing away.
It took three strong men to hold him down.
2. to prevent the level of something such as prices from rising:
We will aim to hold down prices.
3. hold down a job to succeed in keeping a job for a period of time:
He’s never held down a job for longer than a few weeks.
4. to keep people under control or limit their freedom:
The people were held down for centuries by their conquerors.
hold forth phrasal verb
to give your opinion on a subject, especially for a long time
hold forth on
The speaker was holding forth on the collapse of modern society.
hold off phrasal verb
1. to delay doing something:
Buyers have been holding off until the price falls.
hold off (on) doing something
Hold off making your decision until Monday.
2. hold somebody ↔ off
a) to prevent someone who is trying to attack or defeat you from succeeding:
Not even a gun could hold him off forever.
b) to prevent someone from coming towards you or succeeding in speaking to you:
There’s already a crowd of reporters outside – I’ll try to hold them off for a while.
3. if rain or bad weather holds off, it does not start, although it looked as if it would:
The rain held off until after the game.
hold on phrasal verb
1. spoken
a) to wait for a short time:
Hold on, I’ll just get my coat.
b) used when you have just noticed, heard, or remembered something interesting or wrong:
Hold on a minute! Isn’t that your brother’s car over there?
c) used to ask someone on the telephone to wait until the person they want to talk to is available:
Can you hold on? I’ll try to find her.
2. to have your hands or arms tightly around something:
Hold on tight!
hold on to
Hold on to my arm.
3. to continue doing something that is very difficult to do:
San Francisco held on to win 4–2.
hold on to somebody/something phrasal verb
to keep something rather than losing it, selling it, or giving it to someone else:
The soldiers held on to the bridge for three more days.
I think I’ll hold on to these old records for now.
hold out phrasal verb
1. hold out something to think or say that something is possible or likely to happen, especially something good
not hold out much hope/hold out little hope
Negotiators aren’t holding out much hope of a peaceful settlement.
hold out the prospect/promise of something
alternative methods which hold out the promise of improved health
2. if a supply of something holds out, there is still some left:
Water supplies won’t hold out much longer.
3. to continue to successfully defend a place that is being attacked:
The rebels held out for another night but then fresh forces arrived.
4. to try to prevent yourself from doing something that someone is trying to force you to do
hold out against
I didn’t know how much longer I could hold out against their relentless questioning.
hold out for something phrasal verb
to not accept anything less than you have asked for:
Transport workers are holding out for a 20% pay rise.
hold out on somebody phrasal verb informal
to not tell someone about something important:
She must have been holding out on him all these years.
hold something over phrasal verb
1. [usually passive] formal to do or deal with something at a later time:
The matter was held over for further review. ⇨ ↑holdover
2. hold something over somebody to use something bad that you know about someone to make them do what you want:
He knows I’ve been in prison and is holding it over me.
3. be held over especially American English if a play, film, concert etc is held over, it is shown for longer than planned because it is very popular
hold to something phrasal verb
1. if you hold to a belief, principle, promise etc, you believe it or behave according to it:
He admitted he did not hold to the traditional view of God.
2. hold somebody to something to make someone do what they have promised:
‘I’ll ask him tomorrow.’ ‘OK, but I’m going to hold you to that.’
3. hold somebody to something British English to prevent your opponent in a sports game from getting more than a particular number of points:
Norway held Holland to a 2–2 draw.
hold together phrasal verb
1. if a group or an organization holds together, or if something holds it together, it stays strong and does not separate into different parts or groups:
Against all expectations, the coalition held together well.
hold something ↔ together
In those days the Church held the community together.
2. to remain whole and good enough to use, or to make something do this:
Incredibly, the raft held together till we reached the opposite shore.
hold something ↔ together
I wondered how the structure was held together.
hold up phrasal verb
1. hold something ↔ up to support something and prevent it from falling down:
The roof is held up by massive stone pillars.
2. hold somebody/something ↔ up [usually passive] to delay someone or something:
Sorry I’m late – I was held up at work.
3. hold up something to rob or try to rob a place or person by using violence:
Two armed men held up a downtown liquor store last night. ⇨ ↑hold-up
4. to not become weaker:
His physical condition has held up well.
hold somebody/something up as something phrasal verb
to use someone or something as a good example or as proof of something:
The school is held up as a model for others.
This incident will be held up as proof that tougher controls are needed.
hold with something phrasal verb
not hold with something British English used to say that someone does not approve of something:
He says he doesn’t hold with all this politically correct stuff.
not hold with doing something
I don’t hold with hitting children in any circumstances.

run

I. run¹ S1 W1 /rʌn/ BrE AmE verb (past tense ran /ræn/, past participle run, present participle running)
[Word Family: noun: ↑run, ↑rerun, ↑runner, ↑running, ↑overrun; verb: ↑run, ↑outrun, ↑overrun, ↑rerun; adjective: ↑running, ↑runny; adverb: ↑running]
[Language: Old English; Origin: rinnan]
1. MOVE QUICKLY USING YOUR LEGS
a) [intransitive] to move very quickly, by moving your legs more quickly than when you walk
run down/up/to/towards etc
I ran down the stairs as fast as I could.
He was running towards the door.
She turned and ran away.
The boys ran off into the crowd.
run to do something
Several people ran to help her when she fell.
The children came running out of the house.
Women ran screaming, with children in their arms.
Jane struggled free and ran for her life (=ran in order to avoid being killed).
Hurry! Run for it (=run as quickly as possible in order to escape)!
He picked up the child and ran like hell (=ran very quickly, especially in order to escape). not polite
b) [transitive] to run a particular distance:
Firefighters are to run 500km to raise money for a children’s charity.
He ran the length of the corridor.
2. RACE
a) [intransitive and transitive] to run in a race:
I’d never run a marathon before.
run in
Murray has said she will consider running in the 3000 metres.
b) [transitive usually passive] if a race is run at a particular time or in a particular place, it happens at that time or in that place:
The Derby will be run at 3 o'clock.
3. ORGANIZE/BE IN CHARGE OF [transitive] to organize or be in charge of an activity, business, organization, or country:
For a while, she ran a restaurant in Boston.
Many people don’t care who runs the country.
Courses are currently being run in London and Edinburgh.
Many people belong to a pension scheme run by their employers.
well/badly run
The hotel is well-run and extremely popular.
a state-run (=controlled by the government) television station
4. DO SOMETHING/GO SOMEWHERE QUICKLY [intransitive] to do something or go somewhere quickly:
Run and ask your mother where she’s put the keys.
run to
I need to run to the store for some more milk.
5. BUSES/TRAINS ETC
a) [intransitive] if a bus, train etc service runs, it takes people from one place to another at fixed times:
The buses don’t run on Sundays.
run to
The number 61 bus runs to the city centre.
b) [transitive] if a company or other organization runs a bus, train etc service, they make it operate:
They’re running special trains to and from the exhibition.
6. COMPUTERS
a) [intransitive] if a computer program runs, it operates
run on
The software will run on any PC.
b) [transitive] if you run a program, you make it operate:
The RS8 system runs both Unix and MPX-32.
7. MACHINE/ENGINE
a) [intransitive] if a machine or engine runs, it operates:
She got out of the car and left the engine running.
run on electricity/gas/petrol etc (=get its power from electricity etc)
Most cars run on unleaded fuel.
run off something (=use something for power)
It runs off batteries.
b) [transitive] if you run a machine or engine, you make it operate:
You shouldn’t keep the engine running when the car is standing still.
I often run the washing machine more than once a day.
8. TAPE
a) [intransitive usually progressive] if a tape is running, it is recording:
She didn’t realize the tape was running as she spoke.
b) [transitive] if you run a tape, you make it move backwards or forwards:
Run the tape back to the beginning.
9. NEWSPAPER/TELEVISION
a) [transitive] to print something in a newspaper or magazine, or broadcast something on television:
The company is running a series of advertisements in national newspapers.
A local TV station ran her story.
b) [intransitive] if a program runs on television, it is shown. If a story runs in a newspaper or magazine, it is printed:
The series ran for 20 episodes and was extremely popular.
Conan Doyle’s stories ran in ‘The Strand’ magazine.
10. FAST/OUT OF CONTROL [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] to move too fast or in an uncontrolled way:
Her car ran off the road and into a tree.
The truck ran out of control and hit a house.
11. USE A VEHICLE [transitive] especially British English to own and use a vehicle:
I can’t afford to run a car.
A bicycle is relatively cheap to buy and run.
12. TAKE SOMEBODY IN YOUR CAR [transitive always + adverb/preposition] informal to take someone somewhere in your car SYN drive:
Shall I run you home?
run somebody to something
Let me run you to the station.
13. IN AN ELECTION [intransitive] especially American English to try to be elected in an election SYN stand British English
run for
Salinas is running for a second term as President.
an attempt to encourage more women to run for office
run against
Feinstein will win if she runs against Lungren.
14. SOMETHING LONG [intransitive, transitive always + adverb/preposition] if something long such as a road or wire runs in a particular direction, that is its position, or that is where you put it:
The road runs along a valley.
Developers want to run a road right through his farm.
Run the cables under the carpet.
The Sierra mountain range runs the length of the north west coast of Majorca.
15. MOVE SOMETHING ON A SURFACE [transitive always + adverb/preposition] to move something lightly along a surface:
Charles ran his fingers through her hair.
Run the scanner over the bar codes.
16. FLOW [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] to flow in a particular direction or place:
Tears started to run down her cheeks.
Water was running off the roof.
17. TAP [intransitive and transitive] if a ↑tap is running, water is coming out of it, or if you run a tap, you make water come out of it:
Did you leave the tap running?
He ran the tap until the water was really hot.
18. run a bath to fill a bath with water:
I could hear her running a bath upstairs.
run somebody a bath
Could you run me a nice hot bath while I finish my meal?
19. SB’S NOSE [intransitive] if someone’s nose is running, liquid is flowing out of it
20. OFFICIAL PAPERS [intransitive] if something runs for a particular length of time, it can officially be used for that time:
The contract runs for a year.
My car insurance only has another month to run.
21. PLAY/FILM [intransitive] to continue being performed regularly in one place:
The play ran for two years.
22. HAPPEN [intransitive] to happen in a particular way or at a particular time:
Andy kept things running smoothly (=happening in the way they should) while I was away.
He was given a further three month prison sentence to run concurrently.
The course runs over a three year period.
23. AMOUNT/PRICE [intransitive] to be at a particular level, amount, or price
run at
Inflation was running at 5%.
run to
The cost of repairing the damage could run to $5000.
24. STORY/ACCOUNT ETC [intransitive and transitive] if a story, discussion etc runs in a particular way, it has those particular words or events:
The story runs that someone offered Lynch a further $500.
‘President’s marriage really over’ ran the headline in a national newspaper.
25. run its course if something runs its course, it continues in the way you expect until it has finished:
Recession in the country has run its course and left an aftermath of uncertainty.
26. something will run and run British English if a subject, discussion, event etc will run and run, people will continue to be interested in it for a long time:
This is a story that will run and run.
27. THOUGHTS/FEELINGS [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] if a feeling runs through you, or a thought runs through your mind, you feel it or think it quickly
run through/down
A feeling of excitement ran through her body as they touched.
The same thought kept running through his mind.
A cold shiver ran down my back.
I felt a sharp pain run down my leg.
28. run high if feelings run high, people are very angry, upset, excited etc:
Tension ran high and fights broke out among the crowd.
Feelings have been running high in the town, following the murder of a young girl.
29. run sb’s life informal to keep telling someone what they should do all the time, in a way that annoys them:
Don’t try to run my life!
30. run for cover
a) to run towards a place where you will be safe, especially to avoid bullets:
He was shot in the leg as he ran for cover.
b) to try to protect yourself from a bad situation or from being criticized:
His success at backing winning horses has had the bookmakers running for cover.
31. COLOUR IN CLOTHES [intransitive] if colour runs, it spreads from one piece of clothing or one area of cloth to another when the clothes are wet:
The T-shirt ran and made all my other clothes pink.
32. PAINT/INK [intransitive] if paint runs, it moves onto an area where you did not intend it to go
33. run a check/test/experiment etc to arrange for someone or something to be checked or tested
run a check/test/experiment etc on
Ask your doctor to run a test on your blood sugar levels.
34. HOLE IN CLOTHES [intransitive] if a hole in ↑tights or ↑stockings runs, it gets bigger in a straight line
35. run drugs/guns to bring drugs or guns into a country illegally in order to sell them ⇨ ↑drug runner, ↑gun-running
36. run in the family if something such as a quality, disease, or skill runs in the family, many people in that family have it:
Diabetes appears to run in families.
37. run a temperature/fever to have a body temperature that is higher than normal, because you are ill
38. run a mile informal to try very hard to avoid a particular situation or person because you do not want to deal with them:
If someone asked me to marry them, I’d probably run a mile.
39. run late/early/on time to arrive, go somewhere, or do something late, early, or at the right time:
I’m running late, so I’ll talk to you later.
If the train runs on time, we’ll be there by ten.
40. be running scared to feel worried because someone who you are competing against is becoming very successful or powerful:
The party are running scared.
41. come running
a) informal to react in a very eager way when someone asks or tells you to do something:
He thinks he’s only got to look at me and I’ll come running.
b) especially spoken to ask someone for help, advice, or sympathy when you have a problem
come running to
Well I warned you, so don’t come running to me when it all goes wrong!
42. run your eyes over/along etc something to look quickly at something:
He ran his eyes along the books on the shelf.
43. run before you can walk to try to do something difficult before you have learned the basic skills you need:
A lot of language students want to run before they can walk.
44. run a (red) light informal to drive quickly through a red TRAFFIC LIGHT instead of stopping
⇨ ↑running¹, ⇨ cut and run at ↑cut¹(38), ⇨ be/run/go counter to something at ↑counter³, ⇨ run deep at ↑deep²(4), ⇨ run dry at ↑dry¹(4), ⇨ run low at ↑low¹(4), ⇨ run somebody ragged at ↑ragged(5), ⇨ run rings around somebody at ↑ring¹(8), ⇨ run riot at ↑riot¹(2), ⇨ be running short at ↑short²(2), ⇨ run somebody/something to earth at ↑earth¹(14), ⇨ run to fat at ↑fat²(6), ⇨ run somebody/something to ground at ↑ground¹(19), ⇨ run to seed at ↑seed¹(4), ⇨ run wild at ↑wild²(1), ⇨ be up and running at ↑up¹(22)
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ run to move very quickly, by moving your legs more quickly than when you walk: My five-year-old son runs everywhere. | I go running twice a week.
▪ jog to run quite slowly for exercise over a long distance: A few people were jogging in the park.
▪ race/dash to run somewhere as quickly as you can, especially because you have to do something urgently: He dashed across the road to the police station. | We raced to the bus stop and got there just in time.
▪ sprint to run as fast as you can for a short distance: I saw the runners sprinting past. | He sprinted up the stairs.
▪ tear to run very quickly and without really looking where you are going, because you are in a hurry: He tore down the street and around the corner.
▪ charge to run quickly and with a lot of energy, so that you might knock down anyone or anything that gets in your way: They all charged out of the school gates at 4 o'clock. | Dennis charged through the door into my office.
▪ take to your heels to start running away very quickly, especially to escape or because you are afraid: The men took to their heels as soon as they saw the police.
▪ leg it British English informal to run away very quickly, in order to escape from someone or something: I legged it before the cops came.
▪ lope especially literary to run easily with long steps – used especially about tall people with long legs: John loped across the street to meet me.
■ animals running
▪ trot to run fairly slowly, taking short steps – used especially about horses and dogs: A little dog was trotting behind her.
▪ gallop if a horse gallops, it runs very quickly: The horse galloped off across the field.
▪ bolt to suddenly run somewhere very fast, especially in order to escape: Suddenly a fox bolted out from beneath a hedge.
run across somebody/something phrasal verb
to meet someone or find something by chance:
I ran across him at a conference in Milan.
I ran across some old love letters while I was clearing out a cupboard.
run after somebody/something phrasal verb
1. to chase someone or something:
He ran after her, calling her name.
2. informal to try to start a sexual relationship with someone:
He’s always running after younger women.
3. spoken to do a lot of things for someone else as though you were their servant:
I can’t keep running after you all day!
run along phrasal verb spoken
used to tell a child to leave, or to tell someone that you must leave:
Run along now! I’ve got work to finish.
Oh, it’s late. I’d better be running along.
run around (also run round British English) phrasal verb
1. to run in an area while you are playing:
The children were running around in the garden.
2. informal to be very busy doing many small jobs:
Maria was running around trying to get the house tidy.
We were all running around like headless chickens (=trying to do a lot of things, in an anxious or disorganized way). ⇨ ↑runaround
run around after somebody phrasal verb informal
to do a lot of things for someone else as though you were their servant:
I’ve spent all day running around after the kids.
run around with somebody phrasal verb informal
to spend a lot of time with someone, especially someone that other people disapprove of:
He started running around with a gang of teenagers.
run away phrasal verb
1. to leave a place, especially secretly, in order to escape from someone or something
run away from
Toby ran away from home at the age of 14. ⇨ ↑runaway²
2. to try to avoid dealing with a problem or difficult situation
run away from
You can’t just run away from your responsibilities.
3. to secretly go away with someone in order to marry them or live with them:
They ran away together to get married.
run away with somebody/something phrasal verb
1. to secretly go away with someone in order to marry them or live with them – usually used to show disapproval:
His wife has run away with another man.
2. run away with you if your feelings, ideas etc run away with you, they start to control how you behave:
Don’t let your imagination run away with you!
3. your tongue runs away with you if your tongue runs away with you, you say something that you did not intend to say
4. run away with the idea/impression (that) spoken to think that something is true when it is not:
Don’t run away with the impression that he doesn’t care.
5. informal to win a competition or sports game very easily:
The Reds ran away with the championship.
run something by/past somebody phrasal verb
1. to tell someone something so that they can give you their opinion:
Let me run some figures by you.
I just wanted to run it past you and see what you thought.
2. run that by me again spoken used to ask someone to repeat what they have just said because you did not completely understand it
run down phrasal verb
1. run somebody/something ↔ down to drive into a person or animal and kill or injure them:
Their daughter was run down by a car.
2. run somebody/something ↔ down informal to criticize someone or something in a way that is unfair:
There’s a lot of good things about homeopathic treatment. I’m certainly not running it down.
3. if a clock, machine, ↑battery etc runs down, it has no more power and stops working
4. to make a company, organization etc gradually reduce in size, especially in order to close it in the future, or to gradually reduce in size
run something ↔ down
Many smaller local hospitals are being run down.
The business had been running down for a long time.
5. if a supply of something runs down, or if you run it down, there gradually becomes less of it:
Crude oil reserves are running down.
run something ↔ down
Electricity generating companies are running down stocks and cutting purchases.
6. run down something to read a list of people or things:
Let me just run down the list of people who’ve been invited.
7. run somebody/something down to find someone or something after searching for a long time:
I finally ran him down at his new office in Glendale. ⇨ ↑rundown, ↑run-down
run somebody/something ↔ in phrasal verb British English
1. to drive a new car slowly and carefully for a period of time so you do not damage its engine
2. old-fashioned if the police run a criminal in, they catch him or her
run into somebody/something phrasal verb
1. to start to experience a difficult or unpleasant situation:
He ran into criticism after remarks he made in a television interview.
run into trouble/problems/difficulties
The business ran into financial difficulties almost immediately.
2. run into hundreds/thousands etc to reach an amount of several hundred, several thousand etc:
The cost of repairing the damage could run into millions.
The list ran into hundreds of pages.
3. to hit someone or something with a vehicle SYN crash into:
He ran into the back of another car.
4. informal to meet someone by chance:
Guess who I ran into in town today! ⇨ run yourself into the ground at ↑ground¹(13)
run off phrasal verb
1. to leave a place or person in a way that people disapprove of:
Amy’s husband had run off and left her with two children to bring up.
2. run something ↔ off to quickly print several copies of something:
I’ll run off a few more copies before the meeting.
3. run somebody off something to force someone to leave a place:
Someone tried to run me off the road.
Smith had run them off his property with a rifle.
4. run something ↔ off to write a speech, poem, piece of music etc quickly and easily:
He could run off a five-page essay in an hour.
5. run off at the mouth American English informal to talk too much
6. run something ↔ off to get rid of weight by running:
I’m trying to run off some of my excess fat!
run off with somebody/something phrasal verb informal
1. to secretly go away with someone in order to marry them or live with them – used to show disapproval:
Liz shocked us all by running off with a married man.
2. to steal something and go away:
a con-man who makes a habit of running off with people’s savings
run on phrasal verb
to continue happening for longer than expected or planned:
These things always run on longer than people imagine.
run out phrasal verb
1.
a) to use all of something and not have any more left:
I’ve got money you can borrow if you run out.
run out of
They ran out of money and had to abandon the project.
He’d run out of ideas.
b) if something is running out, there will soon be none left:
We must act now because time is running out.
My patience was running out.
His luck had run out (=there was none left).
2. if an agreement, official document etc runs out, the period for which it is legal or has an effect ends SYN expire:
My contract runs out in September.
3. run out of steam informal (also run out of gas American English) to have no more energy or no longer be interested in what you are doing:
The team seemed to have run out of gas.
4. run somebody out of town old-fashioned to force someone to leave a place, because they have done something wrong
5. run somebody ↔ out to end a player’s ↑innings in the game of ↑cricket by hitting the ↑stumps with the ball while they are running
run out on somebody phrasal verb
to leave someone when they are in a difficult situation – used to show disapproval:
He ran out on her when she became pregnant.
run over phrasal verb
1. run somebody/something ↔ over to hit someone or something with a vehicle, and drive over them:
He was run over and killed by a bus.
She got run over outside the school.
2. run over something to think about something:
Mark’s mind raced, running over all the possibilities.
3. run over something to explain or practise something quickly:
I’ll just run over the main points again.
4. run over (something) to continue happening for longer than planned:
The meeting ran over.
The talks have run over the 15 November deadline.
5. if a container runs over, there is so much liquid inside that some flows out SYN overflow
run something past somebody phrasal verb
to ↑run something ↑by someone
run round phrasal verb British English
to ↑run around
run through phrasal verb
1. run through something to repeat something in order to practise it or make sure it is correct:
Let’s run through the first scene again.
2. run through something to read, look at, or explain something quickly:
Briefly, she ran through details of the morning’s events.
3. run through something if a quality, feature etc runs through something, it is present in all of that thing:
This theme runs through the whole book.
4. run somebody through literary to push a sword completely through someone ⇨ ↑run-through
run to somebody/something phrasal verb
1. to reach a particular amount:
The cost of repairing the damage could run to $1 million.
The treaty ran to 248 pages.
2. [usually in negatives] British English to be or have enough money to pay for something:
Our budget won’t run to replacing all the computers.
3. to ask someone to help or protect you:
You can’t keep running to your parents every time you have a problem.
4. sb’s taste runs to something if someone’s taste runs to something, that is what they like:
His taste ran to action movies and thrillers.
run up something phrasal verb
1. run up a debt/bill etc to use so much of something, or borrow so much money, that you owe a lot of money:
She ran up an enormous phone bill.
2. to achieve a particular score or position in a game or competition:
He quickly ran up a big lead in the polls.
3. run something ↔ up to make something, especially clothes, very quickly:
She can run up a dress in an evening.
4. run something ↔ up to raise a flag on a pole
run up against something/somebody phrasal verb
to have to deal with unexpected problems or a difficult opponent:
The museum has run up against opposition to its proposals.
run with something phrasal verb
to be covered with a liquid that is flowing down:
His face was running with blood.