American Dictionary

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Definition run down in American English

run down phrasal verb

phrasal verb
1

to hit someone with your car and injure or kill them

Example

She got run down outside the school.

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2

to criticize someone, especially in an unfair way

Example

You're always running me down!

Example

You're a great Mom. Why do you run yourself down?

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3

if something such as a machine or clock runs down, or if you run it down, it gradually stops working because it has no power

Example

Switch your headlights off, or you'll run the battery down.

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4

to quickly read everything on a list

Example

I'll just run down the list and see if we've forgotten anything.

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5

if a business or organization runs down, or if someone runs it down, it gradually becomes smaller

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6

to find someone after searching for them for a long time

Example

Police eventually ran him down in woods north of the city.

Synonyms and related words
Definition run down in American English