run through

See also: run-through

English

Pronunciation

  • Audio (Australia):(file)

Verb

run through (third-person singular simple present runs through, present participle running through, simple past ran through, past participle run through)

  1. (transitive, idiomatic) To repeat something.
    Synonyms: reiterate, run back
    We will run through scene 2 until we get it right.
    1. (transitive, idiomatic) To summarise briefly.
      Synonyms: run over, sum up; see also Thesaurus:recapitulate
      Let me run through today's meeting for those who missed it.
      • 2003, Joe Kraynak, The complete idiot's guide to computer basics, page 145:
        The following steps run you through a typical scanning operation using a flatbed scanner: ...
  2. (transitive, idiomatic) To go through hastily.
    Synonyms: skim through, slubber
    to run through a book
    1. (transitive, idiomatic, colloquial) To quickly inform, train or educate someone, typically of a new concept or a concept particular to an organization or industry.
      • 2009, Jorge S. Olson with Carlos Lopez, Build Your Beverage Empire, page 115:
        ... we'll run you through a very quick and abbreviated process from production through bottling.
    2. (transitive) To get something approved quickly.
      The plans for the new building were rushed through.
    4. (transitive, idiomatic) To use (something, often money) completely, in a short space of time.
      Synonyms: eat up, expend
      Near-synonyms: burn through, get through
      I ran through my wages in two days. Now I've got to live on next to nothing till Friday!
      • 2026 June 23, Phil McNulty, “England 0-0 Ghana”, in BBC‎[1], archived from the original on 4 October 2026:
        Tuchel ran through his options in an attempt to crack the Ghana code, with Saka replacing the disappointing Anthony Gordon, and the Arsenal winger almost fashioned the breakthrough when he forced a diving stop from keeper Asare.
  3. (transitive, idiomatic) To pervade, of a quality that is characteristic of a group, organisation, or system.
    Synonyms: permeate, riddle
    Fear of foreigners runs through that country at all levels of its society.
    • 2019 July 11, John Thornhill, “Does tech threaten to rerun the worst of the Industrial Revolution?”, in Financial Times‎[2], London: The Financial Times Ltd., →ISSN, →OCLC:
      The central concern that runs through The Technology Trap is that, unless we are very careful, our latest technological revolution may well turn out to be a tumultuous rerun of the Industrial Revolution, with dire social and political consequences.
      (Can we archive this URL?)
    1. (transitive, of a flavor or ingredient) To be present and intense.
      The cardamom runs through the cake.
  4. Senses as to continuing all the way through something
    1. (transitive, idiomatic) To impale (a person) with a blade, usually a sword.
      Synonyms: spear, transpierce; see also Thesaurus:impale, Thesaurus:stab
      Make just one move, and I'll run you through, sir, without hesitation.
      • 1676, Thomas Shadwell, The libertine: a tragedy : acted by His Royal Highness's servants, page 15:
        D. Lop." Offer to flinch, and I'll run you through. Offic.: Take their Swords, or knock 'em down.
    2. (transitive, figurative, slang) To have sex with (someone).
      Synonyms: fuck, plough, service; see also Thesaurus:copulate with
      • 2021 April 19, Trey R. Barker, Jonathan Brown, S.A. Cosby, John M. Floyd, Debra H. Goldstein, Gar Anthony Haywood, Penny Mickelbury, William Dylan Powell, Kimberly B. Richardson, Stacy Woodson, Jukes & Tonks: Crime Fiction Inspired by Music in the Dark and Suspect Choices‎[3], Down & Out Books:
        “There's a white girl, Betty Anderson, down on Cricket Hill Lane parked under them mulberry trees across from the old Carter place getting run through by a colored boy in a bright red Plymouth Fury. You might wanna get out there before Big Jim Anderson find[sic] himself with a half-breed grandchild,” […]
    3. (transitive, idiomatic) To continue past an intersection or a sign that is intended to cause one to stop.
      You just ran through a stop sign.
    4. (transitive, of a waterway) To flow through an area.
      The Seine river runs through Paris.
    5. (transitive, intransitive, of a train) To have a route that goes through an area; to continue through an area; to complete a route.
      This train runs through the county.
    6. (transitive, of a train) To continue through territory owned by another company without being exchanged for a different train.
    7. (historical, metalworking) To produce steel by continuing to pump molten iron into a mould after it is full.
  5. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see run,‎ through.
    He ran through the park to get the other side.

Usage notes

  • The verb and particle are inseparable except in sense 7. (impale with a sword)

Translations

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