Idioms & Expressions with Run
Build confidence with eight everyday expressions using run, then put them into practice through seven personal discussion questions.
What’s in the worksheet?
- 8 expressions with definitions and examples
- 7 discussion questions
- Phrasal verbs and everyday expressions
Explore eight everyday expressions with run, from run out of to run smoothly, with definitions and examples. Seven discussion prompts encourage learners to use the expressions in accounts of ordinary experiences and decisions.
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A simple way to teach it
Before the lesson
Print the single page. Explain that run has different meanings in these expressions and does not always mean moving quickly. Keep the example sentences available during discussion.
- Compare run into someone with run into trouble, using the examples to distinguish an unexpected meeting from a problem.
- Work through selected discussion prompts about supplies, lateness, projects and time. Ask learners to give an example and use the whole expression in their response.
- Review run the risk of and run its course. As an optional closing task, ask pairs to create a short situation that illustrates one expression without naming it.
Support and extension
For support, start with run out of, run late and run out of time. For an extension, ask learners to retell an experience using two expressions naturally. There is no fixed discussion key; check patterns such as run the risk of + -ing and avoid forcing run its course into an unrelated answer.
Suggested approach. Adjust the pace and number of questions to suit your class.
