What Does “Run sb out of sth” Mean?
“Run sb out of sth” means to force someone to leave a place or situation by using pressure, threats, or making conditions unbearable.
Introduction
The phrase “Run sb out of sth” is a common phrasal verb in English. It refers to making someone leave a place, group, or activity, often by creating a hostile or unwelcoming environment. Understanding the “Run sb out of sth meaning” helps learners express situations where people are pushed away or forced out. This phrase is useful in everyday conversation, business, and storytelling to describe conflict or exclusion clearly and effectively.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: run somebody out of something
- Type: Transitive
- Level: B2
- Short meaning: To force someone to leave a place or situation
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Run sb out of sth” is a separable phrasal verb. The pattern is:
- run + somebody + out of + something
- Example: They ran the tenants out of the building.
The object (somebody) always comes after “run” and before “out of.” The phrase “out of” is inseparable from the structure.
How to Use Run sb out of sth?
You use “Run sb out of sth” when describing a situation where someone is forced to leave a place or stop doing something. It often implies negative pressure or conflict. This phrase can be applied to places (e.g., a town, a business) or situations (e.g., a competition, a group).
Examples
In many towns, new policies can run residents out of their homes. Here are more examples of Run sb out of sth in a sentence:
- The loud noise ran the neighbors out of the neighborhood.
- They tried to run the competitor out of the market.
- Illegal activities ran the honest shop owners out of the area.
- The harsh manager ran several employees out of the company.
Common Mistakes
Sometimes learners confuse the phrase or change its order, which makes the sentence unclear. Here’s an example:
- Incorrect: They ran out the tenants of the building.
- Correct: They ran the tenants out of the building.
Remember, “run” must be followed by the person (sb), then “out of,” then the place or thing (sth).
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrasal verbs include “drive sb away” and “push sb out.” However, “run sb out of sth” specifically emphasizes forcing someone to leave a place or situation, often with pressure or threats.
- Drive sb away: More general; can mean causing someone to leave emotionally or physically.
- Push sb out: Often used for forcing someone to leave a group or position.
Common Collocations
This phrasal verb frequently appears with places or groups where someone can be forced to leave. Here are common objects used with “run sb out of”:
- Town: Forcing residents to leave a community.
- Market: Forcing businesses to stop competing.
- Neighborhood: Forcing people to move away.
- Job: Forcing an employee to quit or leave.
- Business: Forcing a company to close or relocate.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of run sb out of sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using “run sb out of sth”:
Anna: Did you hear about the new store in town?
Ben: Yes, but I heard the old shops were run out of the market because of it.
Anna: That’s unfortunate. Competition can sometimes run small businesses out of their places.
Practice
Try to complete the sentence below using the correct form of the phrasal verb:
The noise from the construction site __________ the residents __________ the neighborhood.
- a) ran / out of
- b) run / out
- c) running / out of
- d) ran out / of
Answer: a) ran / out of
FAQ
- What does “run sb out of sth” mean? It means to force someone to leave a place or situation.
- Is “run sb out of sth” separable? Yes, the object (sb) comes between “run” and “out of.”
- Can it be used in formal writing? Yes, but it is more common in informal or conversational English.
- What is a synonym for “run sb out of sth”? “Drive sb away” or “push sb out” are similar phrases.
- Can “run sb out of sth” be used with abstract things? It is mainly used with physical places or situations, not abstract concepts.
