run downverb

• 1

  To hit someone with a car or other vehicle and injure or kill them.

  • He was run down while crossing the main road.
  • 'One of our witnesses has already had the misfortune to be rather badly run down while cycling, and I've had a natty-looking box of chocolates by post from an "unknown friend" myself,' replied the inspector.
• 2

  To criticize someone or an organisation, often unfairly.

  • Whatever the company says, the media is going to run them down.
  • My sister is always running me down in front of my friends.
• 3

  To find something or someone after searching for a long time.

  • I finally managed to run down that report. I had filed it incorrectly.
• 4

  To lose power slowly. Used for a machine, battery, or other powered device.

  • You need to wind up the clock every day so that it doesn't run down.
  • If you don't switch off the car lights, you will run the battery down.
• 5

  To read quickly a list or other short text.

  • Running down the list of suggestions, I can see three we can discard immediately.
• 6

  To describe in the form of a rundown, a rough outline or summary.

  • When the minute was up, John Jay managed to make the woman twice as nervous as he ran down the rules and the possibilities.
• 7

  To reduce the size or stock levels of a business, often with a view to closure.

  • The board of directors have decided to run down the stocks held in storage prior to offering the company for sale.
  • Before you move, you should run down your food supplies in the fridge, freezer, and pantry to use up as much as possible.
• 8

  To decline in quality or condition.

  • to run down in health
  • TravelWatch SouthWest Chairman Chris Irwin said: "This is intolerable. The South West deserves levelling up, not running down. SWR and its sponsors in the Department of Transport must be called to account."