run an errand

run an errand

To make a short trip to complete a specific task or chore. Can you see if your father can come pick you up? I've been running errands all day, and I don't want to trek across town yet again. I'm just stepping out to run an errand. I'll be back soon.
See also: errand, run
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

run an errand

 and do an errand; go on an errand
to take a short trip to do a specific thing; to complete an errand. I've got to run an errand. I'll be back in a minute. John has gone on an errand. He'll be back shortly.
See also: errand, run
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

run an errand

Go to perform a commission, as in I spent the morning running household errands-to the cleaners, the supermarket, the hardware store . [c. 1500]
See also: errand, run
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
See also:
  • do an errand
  • errand
  • go on an errand
  • race around
  • cooperate
  • cooperate on (something)
  • see you in a (little) while
  • see you in a little while
  • task
  • an uphill task
References in periodicals archive
'Do not leave your engine running, even if you are stepping out to run an errand. Drivers should be careful as car thieves can take advantage of the situation,' said an ROP official.
The court was told the accused and his wife, who is the girl's mother, were working in the farm when the mum left to run an errand.
Z* lodged a complaint at the police station in which he stated that his 14-year-old son, a resident of Alam Khailanwala, did not return home after going out to run an errand.
class="MsoNormalOutside work you will always have friends who expect you to drop everything you are doing to run an errand for them, or accompany them to some function including funerals of people you do not know and others who drop by your house whenever they have nothing else to do.
The victim was on her way to run an errand for her aunt whom she was staying with.
Gordon said Elizabeth got angry when he refused to run an errand for her.
Bonaobra said that Lastima gratefully accepted the offer but at around 10 a.m., Lastima asked her to 'momentarily' look after her son because she had to run an errand.
Offer to run an errand with him or say, "Let's go out for lunch tomorrow, just us." You may not be able to change him much, but don't give up yet.
Derek slips out of Jordie's house, where he has been staying, to run an errand, only to never return.
He started the video after his sister got out of the car to run an errand.
I have come across knocked down traffic signs and lampposts across the city which may have been the result of minor accidents but in most cases, I notice these in places where people in a tearing hurry to quickly park and run an errand tried to squeeze past traffic and pedestrian signs put up by the police or municipality.
The girl had disappeared after her parents sent her to run an errand, reported state-run news agency MENA.
Gutierrez was at home with her cousins when they left to run an errand. She was sitting on her couch watching the television when she heard the back door rattle.
Spokesman Gary Thompson said: "Staff were asked to give their time to a charity, fund raise or just run an errand for a neighbour - making a real difference to lonely pensioners."
Staff will be asked to give their time to charity, raise funds for good causes - or just run an errand for a neighbour.