run-down
CommonInformal to neutral
Definition
Meaning
Adjective: in poor physical condition due to neglect or age; tired or exhausted. Noun: a brief summary or report.
Can describe abstract decline, such as in energy, morale, or economic state; also refers to a detailed list or enumeration in contexts like sports or business.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As an adjective, often implies visible decay or wear; as a noun, it connotes conciseness and informality. Can be used metaphorically for non-physical depletion.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, more frequently used to describe dilapidated places; in American English, the noun form for summaries is slightly more common in business contexts.
Connotations
Generally negative for condition, neutral for summaries. In both varieties, it may carry a slight informal tone.
Frequency
Equally common in everyday speech in both varieties, with minor contextual preferences.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
ADJ + NOUN (e.g., a run-down house)BE + run-down (e.g., The place is run-down)GIVE/PROVIDE + run-down (noun, e.g., give a run-down)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “run down the clock (sports idiom, related to phrasal verb)”
- “run someone down (to criticize)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used for concise reports, e.g., 'Let's have a run-down of the sales figures.'
Academic
Rare; may appear in informal summaries or descriptive writing.
Everyday
Common for describing old or tired things, e.g., 'My phone is getting run-down.'
Technical
In baseball, a 'run-down' refers to a play where a runner is trapped between bases.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He tends to run down his colleagues during meetings.
- Don't run down the battery by leaving the lights on.
American English
- She ran down the list of attendees quickly.
- The criticism will run down team morale over time.
adverb
British English
- He spoke run-down about the project, lacking enthusiasm. (rare, informal)
- The machine is running down slowly. (phrasal verb usage)
American English
- She walked run-down the street, seeming exhausted. (rare, informal)
- The clock ran down after years of use. (phrasal verb usage)
adjective
British English
- The old cinema is quite run-down and needs repair.
- After the flu, I felt rather run-down for weeks.
American English
- That neighbourhood looks pretty run-down with boarded-up windows.
- The equipment is so run-down that it often breaks.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- This bicycle is very run-down.
- She gave a run-down of her day.
- The run-down hotel had peeling paint and broken windows.
- Can you provide a quick run-down of the plan?
- Despite its run-down exterior, the cottage had a charming interior.
- The manager's run-down highlighted key challenges for the quarter.
- The economic policies led to a run-down of public infrastructure over decades.
- His detailed run-down of the legal precedents was impressively concise.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a clock that has RUN DOWN and stopped—it's worn out and needs a summary to fix it.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONDITION IS ENERGY LEVEL (e.g., depleted or low energy implying poor state).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid literal translation with 'бегать' (to run); in English, it refers to condition, not motion.
- Confusing 'run-down' with 'разрушенный' (destroyed), which is stronger; 'run-down' implies gradual decline.
Common Mistakes
- Writing as one word 'rundown' when hyphenated as adjective/noun.
- Using it as a verb without space (e.g., 'rundown' instead of 'run down').
- Overusing in formal contexts where 'summary' or 'dilapidated' might be more appropriate.
Practice
Quiz
In the sentence 'We need a run-down of the budget before the meeting,' what does 'run-down' mean?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
As an adjective or noun, yes, it is typically hyphenated (e.g., a run-down building). As a phrasal verb, it is written as two words (e.g., to run down the battery).
Yes, informally to describe someone who is tired or exhausted, e.g., 'She looks run-down after working late.'
'Run-down' is more informal and can refer to mild wear, while 'dilapidated' implies severe disrepair and is more formal.
Stress is on the second syllable: /ˌrʌnˈdaʊn/. Practice by saying 'run' quickly and emphasizing 'down'.