run with it

Meanings

1. 1phraseidiominformal

   To take an idea or opportunity and develop it, using it enthusiastically and with confidence.

   Grammar: Can use it or another object: run with the idea; run with it.

   Patterns

   • run with something
   • run with an idea

   It's your proposal, so run with it and show us what you can do.

   She had a good thought about the logo, and the designers ran with it.

   If the manager likes the plan, we'll run with it next quarter.

2. 2phraseidiominformal

   To accept a plan, story or approach and proceed with it, sometimes without checking it very carefully.

   Grammar: Often a decision to go ahead: we'll run with it for now.

   Patterns

   • run with a story
   • run with that

   The editor decided to run with the story despite doubts.

   We'll run with it for now and fix the details later.

   Let's run with the first version and see what customers say.

Word forms

Common combinations

run with an idea

The team ran with an idea from the intern.

just run with it

Don't overthink it, just run with it.

decide to run with

We decided to run with the shorter version.

let someone run with it

The boss let her run with it.

Synonyms and how they differ

go ahead with

Go ahead with is more neutral and does not show the energy that run with often suggests.

pursue

Pursue is more formal and suggests following something for a long time.

take forward

Take forward is British and sounds like careful project management, not excitement.

develop

Develop stresses improving an idea step by step instead of taking it up quickly.

Opposites

Word family

run verb

to operate or move quickly

run with the ball phrase

to take charge of an idea, mainly in American use

run away with phrasal verb

to let imagination get out of control

Commonly confused: run with it or run away with?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “run with it”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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