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Meaning & use

end runs

noun·Advanced

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UK/ˈend rʌnz/
US/ˈend rʌnz/

Meanings

  1. nouncountableAmerican

    In American football, running plays in which the ball carrier runs toward the side of the field rather than straight ahead.

    Grammar: Countable and usually plural: one such play is an end run.

    Patterns

    • run an end run
    • an end run around the defense

    The coach called two end runs to get the ball near the sideline.

    Their fastest player scored on a 40-yard end run.

    The defense was ready for the end run and stopped it behind the line.

  2. nouncountablefigurativedisapproving

    Ways of avoiding a rule, a person in authority, or a normal procedure by going around them.

    Grammar: Often used in the plural with around or past: end runs around the committee.

    Patterns

    • make an end run around someone
    • an end run around the rules
    • end runs past the usual process

    Critics say the company made an end run around environmental regulations.

    He tried an end run past his manager and emailed the director directly.

    Such end runs around the budget process annoy the finance office.

Word forms

singularend run

Common combinations

an end run around the rules
The mayor was accused of an end run around the rules on public contracts.
make an end run around someone
She made an end run around her supervisor to get the decision reversed.
call an end run
The coach called an end run on third down.
a 20-yard end run
He broke free for a 20-yard end run in the final quarter.

Synonyms and how they differ

sweep
A sweep is also a sideways running play, but it usually involves blockers pulling to one side, while an end run stresses the runner heading for the edge.
loophole
A loophole is a gap in the rules themselves; an end run is more about bypassing the people or process that enforce them.
workaround
A workaround is a neutral way of getting around a problem, whereas an end run often suggests something unfair or sneaky.

Opposites

direct approach

Word family

end noun
the final part or edge of something, and also the position at the side of a football line
run noun
an act of running, or a single attempt or turn in a game
runner noun
a person or player who runs, especially with the ball

Commonly confused: end runs or end run? end runs or run-in?

end runs vs end run

The singular 'end run' refers to one play or one act of bypassing; the plural 'end runs' is the usual form when talking about the tactic in general.

end runs vs run-in

A run-in is an argument or a period of trouble, while an end run is a football play or a way of avoiding a rule.

Practice

The department tried to make an end run ___ the official approval process.

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