What Does “Run sth down” Mean?
“Run sth down” is a phrasal verb that means to criticize someone or something, to reduce something until it stops working, or to find information about something by investigating or checking.
Introduction
The phrase “Run sth down” has several common uses in English. It can mean to speak negatively about someone or something, to use up or drain a resource like a battery, or to track down information by searching carefully. Understanding the different meanings of “Run sth down” will help you use it correctly in various situations. This guide explains the Run sth down meaning with examples, grammar tips, and common mistakes to avoid.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: run something down
- Type: transitive
- Level: B2
- Short meaning: criticize, deplete, or find information
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Run sth down” is a separable phrasal verb. This means you can place the object between “run” and “down” or after the entire phrase.
- run something down
- run down something
Examples:
- She ran the battery down quickly.
- He ran down the information he needed.
How to Use Run sth down?
Use “Run sth down” when you want to:
- Criticize or speak negatively about someone or something.
- Describe something being used up or losing power, such as a battery.
- Explain the process of finding or investigating information.
Pay attention to the context to understand which meaning applies.
Examples
Here are some natural sentences using “Run sth down in a sentence”:
- Don’t run the new policy down without understanding it first.
- The battery ran down after just a few hours.
- She ran down all the leads before making a decision.
- He tends to run his coworkers down, which makes him unpopular.
- We need to run down the facts before reporting.
Common Mistakes
People often confuse “run sth down” with similar phrases or misuse the object placement.
Incorrect: She ran down the new plan.
Correct: She ran the new plan down (meaning she criticized it).
Incorrect: The battery run down.
Correct: The battery ran down.
Remember to match the verb tense and place the object correctly.
Differences / Synonyms
“Run sth down” can be confused with similar phrasal verbs:
- Run out of: means to use all of something (e.g., “We ran out of fuel”).
- Put down: can mean to criticize but also to place something down physically.
- Look up: means to search for information, similar to “run down” when used in the investigative sense.
Use “run down” for criticism, depletion, or investigation, depending on context.
Common Collocations
You will often hear “run down” with these objects:
- Battery: to say it loses power (“The phone battery ran down”).
- Reputation: to criticize someone’s character (“He ran her reputation down”).
- Information/leads: to find or check details (“She ran down the leads”).
- Car: to hit or knock over (“The cyclist was run down by a car”).
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of run sth down:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using “Run sth down”:
Anna: Have you heard about the new restaurant?
Ben: Yeah, but some people have been running it down unfairly.
Anna: I think I’ll run down some reviews before deciding.
Ben: Good idea. Don’t run it down without trying it yourself.
Practice
Try to complete the sentences with the correct form of “run sth down”:
- The battery finally ________ after hours of use.
- Don’t ________ the team just because they lost one game.
- We need to ________ the details before the meeting.
Answers: ran down, run down, run down
FAQ
- What does “run something down” mean? It can mean to criticize, to use up, or to find information.
- Is “run down” separable? Yes, you can put the object between “run” and “down” or after the phrase.
- Can “run down” mean to hit someone with a vehicle? Yes, in some contexts, it means to knock someone over with a vehicle.
- How do I know which meaning applies? Look at the context—whether it’s criticism, depletion, or investigation.
- Is “run down” formal or informal? It is commonly used in both formal and informal English.
