mole run: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (specialist/contextual)Specialist (gardening/zoology), occasionally literary/metaphorical
Quick answer
What does “mole run” mean?
A shallow, underground tunnel created by a mole as it searches for food.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A shallow, underground tunnel created by a mole as it searches for food.
1. Any shallow, meandering, often visible ridge in turf or soil created by burrowing animals. 2. Metaphorically, a hidden, complex, or labyrinthine network of connections, activities, or passageways.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use the term for the animal tunnel. In gardening/lawn contexts, 'mole run' is more common in UK English; US English may also use 'mole tunnel' or simply note 'mole damage'.
Connotations
Negative in gardening contexts (nuisance). Neutral in zoological contexts.
Frequency
More frequent in UK English due to higher prevalence of mole-related garden issues; less common in general US discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “mole run” in a Sentence
The lawn was criss-crossed with mole runs.A mole run appeared overnight.We tried to collapse the mole runs.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; metaphorical: 'The corporate espionage operation was a mole run of hidden contacts.'
Academic
Used in zoology, ecology, and soil science texts describing mammal behavior and soil bioturbation.
Everyday
Mostly in gardening/lawn maintenance complaints: 'Look at these mole runs all over the garden!'
Technical
Specific in pest control and groundskeeping to describe the shallow foraging tunnels distinct from deep nesting chambers.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mole run”
- Using 'mole run' to refer to the molehill (the mound of earth).
- Pronouncing 'run' with a tense /u:/ as in 'rune'. It is /rʌn/.
- Using it as a verb phrase ('to mole run'). It is a compound noun.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A molehill is the mound of excavated earth pushed to the surface, often at the entrance to a tunnel or at a junction. A mole run is the tunnel itself, which may or may not have a visible surface ridge.
No, 'mole run' is exclusively a noun. The verb phrase would be 'to run like a mole' or simply 'to burrow'.
This is a gardening question, not a linguistic one. Common methods include trapping, repellents, or collapsing the runs, but ethical and legal considerations vary by location.
A mole run is typically a shallow, meandering tunnel just below the surface, often visible as a raised ridge. A rabbit hole is usually a deeper, vertical entrance leading to a larger underground warren.
A shallow, underground tunnel created by a mole as it searches for food.
Mole run is usually specialist (gardening/zoology), occasionally literary/metaphorical in register.
Mole run: in British English it is pronounced /ˈməʊl ˌrʌn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmoʊl ˌrʌn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Like a mole run (describing something complex and interconnected).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a MOLE taking a morning RUN just under the surface of your lawn, leaving a raised trail.
Conceptual Metaphor
HIDDEN KNOWLEDGE/ACTIVITY IS A SUBTERRANEAN TUNNEL (e.g., 'a mole run of informants').
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'mole run'?