run through — 3 meanings

One phrase, 3 meanings. Learn them one at a time, then test yourself.

phrasal verb3 meanings

run through

1practice or rehearse 2use up or spend quickly 3pervade or characterize

Meaning 1 · most common

practice or rehearse

run through sth

To quickly practice or review something, such as a plan, performance, or list, often to make sure everything is correct.

How oftenCommon

LevelB1

Used inMostly spoken

Examples

Let's run through the presentation one more time before the meeting.

A: Are you ready for your speech?
B: Not yet. I want to run through it again to make sure I remember everything.

Common mistake

Not: Let's run through ~~with~~ the plan.

Say: Let's run through the plan.

'Run through' takes the object directly — no 'with'.

More on “practice or rehearse”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

Before my exam, I always run through my notes to refresh my memory.

Tell it apart

We ran through the routine twice.

rehearsed it

We ran through our savings fast.

used them all up

Goes with

run through + material

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Next meaning: use up or spend quickly

Meaning 2

use up or spend quickly

run through sth

To use or spend something, such as money or resources, very quickly.

How oftenNow and then

LevelB2

Used inMostly spoken

Examples

We ran through all our savings in just a few months.

A: How did you spend your birthday money so fast?
B: I ran through it buying new clothes and gadgets.

Common mistake

Not: He ran through ~~with~~ his inheritance.

Say: He ran through his inheritance.

'Run through' takes the object directly — no 'with'.

More on “use up or spend quickly”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

Many students run through their phone data quickly because they watch a lot of videos online.

Tell it apart

She ran through her savings fast.

used them all up

She ran through her notes fast.

reviewed them quickly

Goes with

run through + resource

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Next meaning: pervade or characterize

Meaning 3

pervade or characterize

run through sth sth

To be present in or characteristic of every part of something, especially in a way that is abstract, such as an idea, feeling, or quality that influences or defines the whole.

How oftenRare

LevelC2

Used inMostly written

Examples

A sense of optimism runs through the entire report, despite the challenges outlined.

A: Did you notice how nostalgia runs through all her novels?
B: Absolutely, it's like a thread connecting every story she tells.

Common mistake

Not: The same theme runs ~~across~~ the novel.

Say: The same theme runs through the novel.

A theme 'runs THROUGH' something — not 'across'.

More on “pervade or characterize”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

A recurring theme of resilience runs through much of the literature produced during times of crisis, reflecting the collective mindset of the era.

Tell it apart

A dark humour runs through his films.

is present throughout

Let's run through the script.

rehearse / review it

Goes with

run through + whole

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practice or rehearse use up or spend quickly pervade or characterize