running

 
Pronunciation: /ˈrʌnɪŋ/

noun

[mass noun]
  • 1the action or movement of a runner: his running tore United to shreds
  • the sport of racing on foot: marathon running
  • 2the action of managing or operating something: the day-to-day running of the office

adjective

  • 1 [attributive] denoting something that runs, in particular:
  • (of water) flowing naturally or supplied to a building through pipes and taps: hot and cold running water
  • (of a sore or a part of the body) exuding liquid or pus: a running sore
  • 2done while running: a running jump
  • 3continuous or recurring over a long period: a running joke
  • [postpositive] consecutive; in succession: he failed to produce an essay for the third week running

Phrases

in (or out of) the running

in (or no longer in) contention for an award, victory, or a place in a team: he is in the running for an Oscar

make the running

British set the pace in a race or activity: Arkle was making all the running in the past women sat back and waited for men to make the running

take a running jump

[often as imperative] used as an expression of angry dismissal or rejection: I hope you told that boss of yours to take a running jump

take up the running

take over as pacesetter in a race.