run yourself into the ground

run (oneself or something) into the ground

1. To work oneself to the point of illness or exhaustion. If you keep working 80-hour weeks, you'll run yourself into the ground sooner than later.
2. To overuse or poorly maintain something, resulting in its destruction or loss of functionality. If you would just remember to get your oil changed, you wouldn't keep running your cars into the ground.
3. To continue to discuss or address something—especially an issue or topic—that is no longer of any use or relevance. We've all moved on from that problem, so there's no use running it into the ground.
See also: ground, run
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

run yourself into the ground

INFORMAL
1. If you run yourself into the ground, you work so hard at something that you become exhausted. While everyone else is running themselves into the ground for the whole month of December, she and I are relaxing at home.
2. If you run yourself into the ground, you run around a lot, especially while playing a game. Liverpool's young players in particular ran themselves into the ground.
See also: ground, run
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

drive/run/work yourself into the ˈground

work so hard that you become extremely tired: You need to be careful, or you’ll run yourself into the ground before long. With only two or three hours’ sleep a night, he was driving himself into the ground.
See also: drive, ground, run, work
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • keep (someone or something) in sight
  • keep in sight
  • keep sight of
  • keep sight of (someone or something)
  • keep sight of somebody/something
  • wash (one's) hands of (someone or something)
  • wash hands of
  • wash your hands of
  • wash your hands of somebody/something
  • wash your hands of something/someone
References in periodicals archive
"When things aren't going well for you, you help your teammate and run yourself into the ground. I think everyone will tell you that if you do that for Evertonians, they will clap you and appreciate that.
Seamus Coleman reveals what vital qualities Everton's summer transfers need to have; The full back knows what it takes to make it at Goodison Park
"You aim to run yourself into the ground and I literally did it, probably the first time in a game.
I'D NOTHING LEFT IN TANK; GAA DAN ON REBELS SEMI-FINAL EXIT; Kearney: My legs were gone, but it's hard to say no
"It was one of those games as a striker when you know you have to run yourself into the ground and might not get as much of the ball.
I wish Stevie all the best.. I'd love to play for Rangers; SCOTLAND ON TOUR TWO MACS ARE THE FUTURE Bluenose Oli's desperate to be the main man for his boyhood heroes & country
"When you play against them you need to battle for every ball and run yourself into the ground.
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I told Pilkington and Tomlin at half-time, don't go within yourselves, run yourself into the ground and I'll bring the others on.
RALLS HAPPY TO TAKE STEP BACK WHEN LEE'S ON SONG
You run yourself into the ground. I also found that when you play the top level, those sort of nerves were the perfect cure for constipation!
This will send a shock through the game.. why on earth would any player take such a gamble? LIVERPOOL IN TURMOIL: SAKHO FACES DRUGS INVESTIGATION
It's weird how the dynamics kick in and you will run yourself into the ground to protect that lead.
Taylor does not inspire confidence yet may be key player
You run yourself into the ground on the pitch, you do yourself in, and you get the impression that people didn't see the game.
Arsenal Striker Wants Credit Amidst Ozil Fanfare
If you run yourself into the ground your clients won't benefit from the care you would have given.
Look after yourself in 2013! The start of a new year is a time we often feel the need to reflect on the previous year and make a fresh start. Did you make any new year's resolutions? What are you going to do differently in 2013?
Well, I can see that in terms of their huge ability but refusal to work defensively - I always reckoned John Beresford was 6ft 3in tall before Ginola played in front of him, which required a willingness to run yourself into the ground!
Hatem not Arfa like Toon's Jinky Jimmy!
It's time for a change of pace with your work, before you begin to run yourself into the ground. Standing tall, asking for what you really want can in fact gain you the respect you crave.
Your stars
To find out more 0901 6093144 LEO (July 24/Aug 23): It's time for a change of pace at work before you run yourself into the ground. Stand tall and asking for what you really want to gain you the respect you crave.
YOUR STARS WITH CLAIRE PETULENGRO
It's so easy to run yourself into the ground. You just have to learn a pace and a rhythm that's right for you.
Jim James
About a year ago now, I seem to recall, you decided you couldn't quite turn your back on Newcastle, that you'd be willing to run yourself into the ground for one more season.
Macca: Wanted! Ultimate Geordie Shearo.
That's what the gaffer likes to do - he likes you to run yourself into the ground.
Football: Horsfield goes back to his roots and old friends for summer on building site; The Birmingham City striker tells James Nursey of the footballers' alternative break