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Glite Dictionary
to make the running

to make the running

1 7.7
To take the lead in a group or activity and get others to follow
  • idiom
  • UK
translation icon : tomar la iniciativa
  • In meetings, Sarah always makes the running and inspires others to participate.

Examples

  • During the negotiations, it was clear which side wanted to make the running.

  • If no one makes the running, we may never finish this project on time.

  • She made the running in the race.

  • He always makes the running during team projects.

  • In team sports, someone always needs to make the running to set the pace for the others.

  • The new manager was eager to make the running in the project with fresh ideas.

  • During the debate, she was determined to make the running and lead the discussion.

Synonyms

to lead
vsto make the running
∞ 1.0

To guide a group or be in charge

is about beginning action and taking charge in an activity or competition
to take the lead
vsto make the running
79 3.2

To start guiding a group or activity and make the main decisions

is about starting action and taking charge in an activity or competition
to take the initiative
vsto make the running
22 3.8

To be the first to act to make something happen

is about holding the main active role in an activity or competition rather than only acting first
to carry the ball
vsto make the running
  • Informal
2 4.6

Lead a project or task and make sure it is finished

is about starting and pushing forward in competitions or group activities rather than ongoing management
to take the front seat
vsto make the running
  • Informal
1 4.2

To lead a group or activity and direct what people do

is about actively starting and directing action in competitions or group tasks rather than mere prominence
to step to the fore
vsto make the running
7.0

To offer to take charge of a group or task

is about taking the main active role in an activity or competition rather than only becoming visible
to take up the running
vsto make the running
7.4

To start managing a task or group after someone else managed it

is about initiating and leading from the start rather than taking over an existing role
to forerun
vsto make the running
7.2

To go ahead of others to lead or check the path

is about taking the main active role in an activity or competition rather than scouting ahead

Antonyms

to follow
  • Jargon
45 5.0

To play with another musician while matching their timing

to lag
24 3.0

To move or develop more slowly than others

How Leading

to lead
∞ 1.0
to make the running
  • UK
1 7.7
to take part
169 1.4
to follow
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

make the running infinitive
made the running past
made the running past participle
making the running present participle
makes the running third person singular

Morphology

make + the + running

The components give partial clues: 'running' can mean the act of managing or leading and 'make' can mean to assume or perform a role, so a learner might infer involvement in leadership. However, the specific sense 'to take the lead' is idiomatic and not fully predictable from the parts (and the construction is regionally idiomatic), so it is only partially transparent to a B1 learner.

Etymology

The phrase make the running may come from horse racing, where a horse that made the running took the lead and set the pace. So today, to make the running means 'to take the lead' or 'to start things' in a group or competition.