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run down

3 ENTRIES FOUND:

run down

verb

Definition of RUN DOWN

transitive verb
1
a : to collide with and knock down b : to run against and cause to sink
2
a : to chase to exhaustion or until captured b : to trace the source of c : to tag out (a base runner) between bases on a rundown
intransitive verb
1
: to cease to operate because of the exhaustion of motive power <the clock ran down>
2
: to decline in physical condition or vigor

Examples of RUN DOWN

  1. <finally ran down the answer after hours of research>
  2. <constantly running down the city's cultural life won't do anything to improve it>

First Known Use of RUN DOWN

circa 1578

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