run through
B2Neutral to informal
Definition
Meaning
To go through something quickly or briefly; to rehearse or review; to use up or consume rapidly.
Can mean to pierce or stab with a blade; to permeate or pervade (as in a quality); to perform a quick check or test; to squander resources.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Phrasal verb with multiple distinct meanings depending on context. Often separable ('run it through', 'run through it'). The 'pierce' meaning is more literary/dramatic.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Both use all meanings. 'Run through' (noun) meaning a rehearsal is slightly more common in UK theatre contexts.
Connotations
Similar in both varieties. The 'squander' meaning can carry a mild negative judgement.
Frequency
Equally common in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] run through [Object][Subject] run [Object] through[Subject] run through [Object] with [Instrument]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “run through someone's mind/head”
- “run through like a thread”
- “run through one's inheritance”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Quickly reviewing an agenda or financial figures before a meeting.
Academic
Summarising key points of an argument or theory.
Everyday
Quickly checking a shopping list or rehearsal before a presentation.
Technical
Performing a diagnostic test or procedure sequence.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Let's run through the safety drill once more.
- He ran through his entire month's salary in one weekend.
- The actor was run through with a prop sword in the final scene.
American English
- We need to run through the presentation before the client arrives.
- They ran through the checklist before takeoff.
- A sense of dread ran through the crowd.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Can we run through the names on the list?
- The children ran through the garden.
- The teacher ran through the instructions quickly.
- We ran out of time to run through the final song.
- Before the interview, run through potential questions with a friend.
- His argument runs through all three chapters of the book.
- The committee ran through the remaining budget in a matter of weeks.
- A vein of irony runs through all her novels.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine quickly RUNNING your eyes THROUGH a document from top to bottom.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A PATH (moving quickly along it); ATTENTION IS A FLUID (flowing through something); RESOURCES ARE A LIQUID (flowing away).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'прогонять' (to drive away). The 'pierce' meaning is closer to 'пронзить'. The 'rehearse' meaning is 'пробежаться по' or 'повторить'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'run over' instead of 'run through' for rehearsal (run over = rehearse OR hit with a vehicle). Forgetting it's separable: 'Can we run it through?' vs. 'Can we run through it?' (both possible).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence does 'run through' mean 'to pierce with a weapon'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, for many meanings. E.g., 'Run through the plan' or 'Run the plan through'. However, the 'pierce' meaning is almost always used separably: 'He ran him through'.
'Run through' typically means to review/rehearse or use up. 'Run over' can mean to rehearse, but also to exceed a limit (time/budget) or to hit with a vehicle. Context is key.
Yes, informally, meaning a rehearsal or quick practice. E.g., 'Let's have a quick run-through before the show'.
It is less common in everyday speech and is now mostly found in historical, dramatic, or literary contexts.