run after two hares • run with the hare and hunt with the hounds run after two hares —(also: chase two rabbits) try to fulfill two goals at the same time (with the implication that a person will not succeed in either one): We are pursuing two qualita- tive targets simultaneously, which might be thought of as run - ning after two hares . Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase take two bites of a cherry—(also: make two bites of a cherry) take two turns to accomplish smth. which could be per- formed in one operation: When we are having the service, let us not take two bites of a cherry ; let us take one bite and have the most up-to-date system. run with the hare and hunt with the hounds—try to support two competing sides in a dispute: He paid the price for his liberal political beliefs as the Congress tried to run with the hare and hunt with the hounds . run around • run around in circles run around—(coll.) 1. go to different places for entertain- ment or to do things: We went for brunch and then ran around all day, watched Family Guy, and ate pasta. 2. make short journeys in a vehicle: Mary bought herself an old car, just for running around in. 3. associate with smb. of the opposite sex: I may be old-fashioned in my ideas, but women run around too much these days to suit me. run around in circles —(also: go round in circles) work busily at a task without making any progress: You’re just running around in circles . Let’s figure out a sensible solution. run away with someone • run off with someone run away with someone—1. (of lovers, etc.) elope with a per- son: Well, ma’am, in round numbers, she’s run away with the soldiers. 2. go out of smb.’s control; become ungovernable: If corporations are not to run away with us, they must become quasi-governmental institutions. run off with someone—1. = run away with someone 1: Lew Archer’s job is to find a 17-year-old girl who has run off with a 19-year-old no-goodnik. 2. capture and abduct a person: “C’mon, sweetheart,” the man with the gun said to Molly, grabbing her by the hand. Everyone watched helplessly as the three men ran off with Molly. run high • run low run high—1. (of the sea) have a strong current with a high tide: The sea runs high , and the boat may be dashed to pieces on the rocks. 2. (of disputes, feelings, etc.) be strongly mani- fested or intensify: Popular passions ran high as the general election approached. run low—become scarce in supply: We had to return to camp because our food supply was running low . run into a stone wall • run one’s head into a stone wall run into a stone wall—(also: come up against a brick wall) encounter an impenetrable obstacle or difficulty: These rec- ommendations have run into a stone wall , as Republican and Democratic governors alike have strongly resisted any Federal cuts. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase hit the wall running—(coll.) exhaust one’s supply of energ y during a run (such as a marathon): I could quit running at any time and just get off the treadmill at any point without a need to walk (or crawl) home after I hit the wall running . run one’s head into a stone wall—(coll.) persist with smth. without making any progress (also: run one’s head into a brick wall): If the President continued to insist on his plan he would be beaten. They besought Jimmy Roosevelt to make the Pres- ident see reason, to persuade him not to run his head into a stone wall . Note: The expression is not equivalent in meaning to the phrase be stonewalled—1. used of a person whose progress is doggedly blocked (by refusing an answer, cooperation, etc.): They suffered an unusual tragedy, but I could never find out the full facts about it — I was stonewalled . No one would tell me the truth. 2. used of parliamentary obstruction of a debate, bill, etc. by engaging in delaying tactics: This is the same legislation which was passed unanimously by the Senate during the last session, but which was stonewalled in the House. run like a deer • run like a hairy goat run like a deer —(hyperbolic) run very fast: The boy was far ahead running like a deer . run like a hairy goat—(Austral sl.) 1. = run like a deer: He ran like a hairy goat . It was his best race. 2. run very slowly: Everything was OK until last week when I noticed the car was running like a hairy goat . Note: a) Neither expression is equivalent in meaning to the phrase run like wild-fire—(of news, rumors, etc.) spread very swiftly and forcibly: Though I was at that time rich in fame — for my book ran like wild-fire —yet I was very short in money. b) Neither expression correlates in meaning with the phrase run like a clock—(of machines, etc.) function with steady reg- ularity, with no trouble: There wasn’t anything in the motor which needed fixing. It was running like a clock . run out at something • run out on something run out at something—(also: run up to something) amount to a figure mentioned; reach a sum: With hospitals making about 50 million outpatients’ appointments a year, the annual cost of missed appointments runs out at more than £300 mil- lion. run out on something—abandon one’s responsibility for smth.; fail to fulfil an agreement, etc.: We should not have a situation where people can run out on their obligations to others. run out of time • run out the clock run out of time—have no more time left: With queens on the board both players were forced to move at lightening speed, and it was Grischuk who ran out of time first. run out the clock—(Sport) keep the ball away from the op- posing team at the end of a game so that they cannot score: The early season loss to the Eagles came about because of the team’s inability to run out the clock . run someone into the ground • run someone to ground run someone into the ground—(coll.) 1. win over a person; defeat smb. completely: We lost the game today, but tomorrow we’ll run them into the ground . 2. make smb. work continu- ously very hard so that the person becomes completely exhausted: Well-trained horses had been starved to death or run into the ground . run someone to ground—track down and eventually find a person, especially for arrest or punishment: The prisoner was finally run to ground some place in Alabama, hungry and exhausted. run someone off his feet • walk someone off his feet run someone off his feet—1. (Sport) wear out an opponent (showing greater stamina and vigor): Now, at the age of 51, John ran me off my feet in a cross-country run. 2. (also: run someone off his legs) exhaust a person by keeping him constantly busy: She positively adored running me off my feet . She would run after two hares – 286 –