run down meaning and examples

Meaning

The phrasal verb “run down” has several meanings depending on context:

1. To hit someone or something with a vehicle.
2. To criticize someone in an unfair or unkind way.
3. To lose power or energy (for machines, batteries, or people).
4. To explain something quickly in summary form.
5. To gradually deteriorate in quality or condition.

Grammar and Usage

• Verb pattern: run down + object
• It is a phrasal verb with multiple meanings, both transitive (when it takes an object) and intransitive (when it does not).

Examples of patterns:

• run sb down → criticize someone.
• run down sth → provide a summary.
• battery runs down → lose power.

Common Phrases

• run down the list (to go through items quickly)
• run down the battery (to use up the power)
• feel run down (to feel tired or exhausted)
• run someone down (to speak badly of someone or hit them with a vehicle)

Collocations

• run down a battery
• run down a person
• run down the details
• run down the street
• feel run down

Examples

1. The old factory has really run down over the years.
2. Don’t run yourself down; you did your best.
3. The police tried to run down the list of suspects.
4. My phone battery has completely run down.
5. She always runs down her coworkers behind their backs.
6. He was nearly run down by a speeding car.
7. After working so hard, he felt completely run down.
8. The teacher ran down the instructions before the exam.

Synonyms or Related

• exhaust
• deplete
• wear out
• criticize
• deteriorate

Antonym

• build up
• recharge
• praise
• restore