Run down Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈɹən/ /ˈdaʊn

RUN-down

UK

ɹˈʌn/ /dˈaʊn

run-DOWN

Definition

'Run down' has several meanings: to be in poor condition or tired; to hit someone with a vehicle; or to criticize someone in a harsh way.

Usage & Nuances

Informal and context-dependent. As an adjective, it means 'in bad condition' (a 'run-down building' or 'feeling run down'). Verb forms: 'run someone down' = hit with a vehicle or harshly criticize. Often confused with 'run into' (bump into) and 'run out' (exhaust supply).

• Spanish: deteriorado - atropellar - criticar (duramente)
• Portuguese (BR): desgastado - atropelar - criticar (duramente)
• Portuguese (PT): desgastado - atropelar - criticar (duramente)
• Chinese (Simplified): 破旧的 - 撞倒 - 贬低
• Chinese (Traditional): 破舊的 - 撞倒 - 貶低
• Hindi: जर्जर - कुचलना (गाड़ी से) - बुरा बोलना
• Arabic: متهالك - دهس - ينتقد بقسوة
• Bengali: জীর্ণ - ক্লান্ত - গাড়ি দিয়ে চাপা দেওয়া - সমালোচনা করা
• Russian: обветшалый - переутомлённый - сбить (транспортом) - критиковать
• Japanese: 老朽化した - 疲れ切った - ひく（車で） - けなす
• Vietnamese: xuống cấp - kiệt sức - bị xe đâm - chỉ trích
• Korean: 노후된 - 지친 - 치다 (차로) - 깎아내리다
• Turkish: harap - bitkin - araçla ezmek - kötülemek
• Urdu: خستہ حال - تھکا ہوا - گاڑی سے کچلنا - تنقید کرنا
• Indonesian: rusak - kelelahan - ditabrak (kendaraan) - menjelekkan

Example Sentences

The old house is very run down.

basic

He was run down by a car.

basic

Lately, I feel really run down.

basic

Don’t run yourself down—you did a great job!

natural

They always run down their competitors in meetings.

natural

That playground looks a bit run down—I wouldn’t let the kids play there.

natural