Expressions with RUN Quiz

You can do this quiz online or print it on paper. It tests comprehension of common English expressions that include the word RUN.

Read each sentence and choose the answer with the closest meaning to the words in italics.

1. Will buying an apartment be cheaper in the long run than renting one?

on average
in the future
over a long period of time
a) on average b) in the future c) over a long period of time

2. Muhammad Ali ran rings around most other boxers.

easily beat
circled
made fun of
a) easily beat b) circled c) made fun of

3. I hear Lady Gaga is in the running for an Academy Award.

unlikely to get
in contention for
definitely getting
a) unlikely to get b) in contention for c) definitely getting

4. The city's short of money, so the mayor runs a tight ship financially.

is strict
is careless
is generous
a) is strict b) is careless c) is generous

5. Jenny waited until her kidnapper wasn't looking, then she made a run for it.

tried to attack
tried to escape
tried to survive
a) tried to attack b) tried to escape c) tried to survive

6. Every time they protest, the students run the risk of being killed.

face the possibility
escape the danger
increase their chance
a) face the possibility b) escape the danger c) increase their chance

7. Near the end of the game, our team ran out of steam.

ran out of ideas
ran out of breath
ran out of energy
a) ran out of ideas b) ran out of breath c) ran out of energy

8. We played the best team and gave them a run for their money.

seriously challenged them
easily beat them
ran off with their money
a) seriously challenged them b) easily beat them c) ran off with their money

9. The sound of branches scraping across my bedroom window makes my blood run cold.

relaxes me
scares me
depresses me
a) relaxes me b) scares me c) depresses me

10. Two gangs are in a running battle for control of the area.

in a long-term struggle
in a street fight
in an even contest
a) in a long-term struggle b) in a street fight c) in an even contest

Your score is:

Correct answers:

Contributor: Matt Errey. Matt is the author of several books including 1000 Phrasal Verbs in Context and Common English Idioms for learners, and Matt's ESL Games and Quizzes for teachers.