take a run at
idiom
US, informal
: to attempt to do or solve (something)
"I can't solve this math problem." "Let me take a run at it."
Examples of take a run at in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Expect Toronto to take a run at signing her, but there’s probably seven other calls coming in, too.
5.
—
Hailey Salvian, New York Times, 16 June 2025
Most last-place teams don’t make the playoffs, let alone take a run at a ring.
—Peter Baugh, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024
Pritzker was very active in the 2024 presidential election and could step aside to take a run at the Democratic nomination in 2028.
—Justin Kaufmann, Axios, 6 Dec. 2024
EchoStar has been repositioning itself to try to take a run at the wireless business over the past several years, acquiring Spectrum as well as assets from Sprint that the company had to surrender as part of its merger with T-Mobile.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2024
Consider that the English Channel was a fifth of the width but still enough of a barrier to stop the Nazis from conquering the United Kingdom.
Japan and South Korea are the only other large economic prizes nearby, but Beijing is in no position to take a run at them militarily, either.
—Stephen G. Brooks, Foreign Affairs, 18 Apr. 2023
Deshaun Fenwick is mulling a decision as to whether return or take a run at the NFL.
—oregonlive, 6 Jan. 2023
At one point, sources say the Cavs were planning to take a run at Jerami Grant.
—Chris Fedor, cleveland, 20 Nov. 2020
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Hailey Salvian, New York Times, 16 June 2025
Most last-place teams don’t make the playoffs, let alone take a run at a ring.
—Peter Baugh, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024
Pritzker was very active in the 2024 presidential election and could step aside to take a run at the Democratic nomination in 2028.
—Justin Kaufmann, Axios, 6 Dec. 2024
EchoStar has been repositioning itself to try to take a run at the wireless business over the past several years, acquiring Spectrum as well as assets from Sprint that the company had to surrender as part of its merger with T-Mobile.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2024
Consider that the English Channel was a fifth of the width but still enough of a barrier to stop the Nazis from conquering the United Kingdom.
Japan and South Korea are the only other large economic prizes nearby, but Beijing is in no position to take a run at them militarily, either.
—Stephen G. Brooks, Foreign Affairs, 18 Apr. 2023
Deshaun Fenwick is mulling a decision as to whether return or take a run at the NFL.
—oregonlive, 6 Jan. 2023
At one point, sources say the Cavs were planning to take a run at Jerami Grant.
—Chris Fedor, cleveland, 20 Nov. 2020
Cite this Entry
“Take a run at.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20a%20run%20at. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share