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Meaning & use

run the mile

phrase·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˌrʌn ðə ˈmaɪl/
US/ˌrʌn ðə ˈmaɪl/

Meanings

  1. phraseidiom

    To run a race that is one mile long, especially in track and field athletics.

    Grammar: Used as a verb phrase; the object 'the mile' is fixed. Can be used in various tenses: 'ran the mile', 'running the mile'.

    Patterns

    • run the mile
    • ran the mile
    • running the mile

    In high school, she ran the mile in under five minutes.

    He is training to run the mile at the national championships.

    The coach asked the team to run the mile as a warm-up.

  2. phraseidiomfigurative

    To do one's full share of work or effort, especially in a difficult or demanding situation.

    Grammar: Figurative; often used to talk about commitment or endurance. Usually in the phrase 'run the mile' meaning to go the whole distance.

    Patterns

    • run the mile
    • willing to run the mile
    • run the extra mile

    In this job, you have to be willing to run the mile when things get tough.

    She didn't just do the minimum; she ran the mile for her team.

    To succeed in this project, everyone needs to run the mile, not just the easy part.

Common combinations

run the mile in (a time)
He ran the mile in four minutes and thirty seconds.
run the extra mile
She always runs the extra mile to help her colleagues.
mile run
The mile run is a classic track event.

Synonyms and how they differ

go the distance
Similar figurative meaning of enduring to the end; 'run the mile' is more specific to doing one's full effort or a literal mile race.
go the extra mile
Means to do more than expected; 'run the mile' means to do the expected full amount.

Commonly confused: run the mile or run a mile?

run the mile vs run a mile

Often used figuratively to mean to avoid something completely (e.g., 'I'd run a mile from that idea'). 'Run the mile' usually refers to the race or doing one's part.

Practice

In the idiom, if you 'run the mile' for your team, you __________.

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