What Does โRun sth downโ Mean?
โRun sth downโ 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 โRun sth downโ 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 โRun sth downโ 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)
โRun sth downโ is a separable phrasal verb. This means you can place the object between โrunโ and โdownโ 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 โRun sth downโ 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 โRun sth down in a sentenceโ:
- Donโt 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 โrun sth downโ 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
โRun sth downโ can be confused with similar phrasal verbs:
- Run out of: means to use all of something (e.g., โWe ran out of fuelโ).
- Put down: can mean to criticize but also to place something down physically.
- Look up: means to search for information, similar to โrun downโ when used in the investigative sense.
Use โrun downโ for criticism, depletion, or investigation, depending on context.
Common Collocations
You will often hear โrun downโ with these objects:
- Battery: to say it loses power (โThe phone battery ran downโ).
- Reputation: to criticize someoneโs character (โHe ran her reputation downโ).
- Information/leads: to find or check details (โShe ran down the leadsโ).
- Car: to hit or knock over (โThe cyclist was run down by a carโ).
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of run sth down:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using โRun sth downโ:
Anna: Have you heard about the new restaurant?
Ben: Yeah, but some people have been running it down unfairly.
Anna: I think Iโll run down some reviews before deciding.
Ben: Good idea. Donโt run it down without trying it yourself.
Practice
Try to complete the sentences with the correct form of โrun sth downโ:
- The battery finally ________ after hours of use.
- Donโt ________ 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 โrun something downโ mean? It can mean to criticize, to use up, or to find information.
- Is โrun downโ separable? Yes, you can put the object between โrunโ and โdownโ or after the phrase.
- Can โrun downโ 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 contextโwhether itโs criticism, depletion, or investigation.
- Is โrun downโ formal or informal? It is commonly used in both formal and informal English.
