running

be running on empty: seeempty.

hit the ground running: seehit.

in (or out of) the running in (or no longer in) contention for an award, victory, or a place in a team.

make the running set the pace in a race or activity.

off and running: seeoff.

a running battle a confrontation that has gone on for a long time.

☞ Literally, a running battle is one that is constantly changing its location, the opposite of a pitched battle (seepitched). The expression running fight was used in the late 17th century to describe a naval engagement in which the fight was continued as one party retreated or fled. Running battle appears to have originated in the mid 20th century.

the sands (of time) are running out: seesand.

take a running jump used when angrily rejecting or disagreeing with someone.

1998Oldie Get back to the studio and tell the focus groups to take a running jump!

take up the running take over as pacemaker in a race.

up and running taking place; active.

1998New Scientist The arms race may be up and running again.