running repairs
LowInformal, Technical
Definition
Meaning
Minor or temporary repairs carried out on machinery or equipment to keep it functioning while it is still in use, without a full shutdown.
Any ongoing, minor fixes or maintenance performed to keep a system, process, or operation working, often implying a temporary solution until a more thorough repair can be made.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term emphasizes continuity (the 'running' part) and the improvised, non-definitive nature of the repairs. It is a fixed compound noun, plural in form. Often used in mechanical, nautical, and industrial contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More commonly used and recognised in British English. American English speakers might use alternatives like 'quick fixes', 'patch jobs', or 'on-the-fly repairs' more frequently.
Connotations
In both dialects, it carries connotations of practicality, improvisation, and keeping things operational under less-than-ideal conditions.
Frequency
Considered a lower-frequency, somewhat dated term in both dialects, but retains niche usage in specific technical fields.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
do running repairs on [the engine]carry out running repairs to [the system]need running repairsVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's just running repairs for now.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used metaphorically for temporary fixes to business processes or strategies.
Academic
Rare; may appear in historical or engineering texts.
Everyday
Used for household items, e.g., a car or washing machine.
Technical
Standard term in maritime, railway, and industrial maintenance contexts.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The bus broke down, but the driver did some running repairs and we continued our journey.
- Our old car constantly needs running repairs, but we can't afford a new one.
- The engineer spent the afternoon carrying out running repairs on the ageing production line to meet the day's quota.
- The government's policy announcement was widely seen as mere running repairs to a fundamentally flawed economic strategy.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a car RUSHING (running) to a garage, but the mechanics fix it WHILE the engine is still RUNNING. Running repairs = fixing on the go.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE/ORGANISATION IS A MACHINE (that needs constant, improvised maintenance to keep running).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid a direct word-for-word translation. 'Бегущий ремонт' is incorrect. Use 'текущий ремонт' (current repairs) or 'мелкий ремонт' (minor repairs).
Common Mistakes
- Using it in the singular form ('a running repair'). It is almost always plural.
- Using it for major, planned repair work.
- Confusing with 'running costs' (operational expenses).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the BEST example of a situation requiring 'running repairs'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is generally informal or technical. In formal reports, terms like 'interim maintenance' or 'operational repairs' might be preferred.
Yes, it is often used metaphorically for temporary fixes in systems, organisations, or even relationships, e.g., 'running repairs on their marriage'.
Because the concept implies a series of minor actions or fixes, not a single, definitive act. It's a conventionalised plural form.
'Maintenance' is a broader, more planned concept, including preventative work. 'Running repairs' are unplanned, reactive fixes done out of necessity to keep things going.