1 B1 neutral
To practise or review something completely from beginning to end
"The director asked the cast to run through the first act one more time."
separable
run through
B1 neutral separable transitive/intransitive
To review or practise something from start to finish, to stab someone with a long weapon, or for something to spread rapidly through a group
In plain English
To practise or go through something step by step, or when a feeling or rumour spreads fast through a group of people
What does "run through" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic neutral
For a feeling, idea, or information to spread quickly through a person or group
"A wave of excitement ran through the crowd when the winner was announced."
“
"A murmur ran through the crowd."
— Widely attested narrative phrasing; Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities (similar construction used throughout)
inseparable
3 C1 idiomatic formal
(Literary) To pierce or stab someone with a sword or similar weapon
"The hero ran his enemy through with a single thrust of the blade."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To run from one end of something to the other — the review sense is a natural extension
Actually means
To practise or go through something step by step, or when a feeling or rumour spreads fast through a group of people
Usage tip
The rehearsal/review sense is extremely common in professional, educational, and theatrical settings. The stabbing sense is literary. 'A chill ran through me' is a common figurative pattern.
Words that pair with "run through"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
checklist scene procedure options chill crowd
How to conjugate "run through"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
run through
I/you/we/they
3rd person
runs through
he/she/it
Past simple
ran through
yesterday
Past participle
run through
have + pp
-ing form
running through
continuous
Hear "run through" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "run through" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.