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Glite Dictionary
to run a name by

to run a name by

4.2
Ask someone if a name is okay before you decide
  • phrasal verb
translation icon : consultar un nombre
  • I’ll run your name by the selection committee and let you know what they think.

Examples

  • Before submitting the application, she decided to run the name by her supervisor.

  • Could you run the name by legal before we print the invitations?

  • Before finalizing the project, I need to run a name by the marketing team for approval.

  • Let's run the name by the board members to see if they have any concerns.

  • Can you run the name by the client to ensure they are happy with it?

Synonyms

to suggest
vsto run a name by
∞ 1.6

To offer an idea or plan for others to consider

is specifically about checking a proposed choice for approval before deciding
to submit
vsto run a name by
  • Formal
325 3.7

To give a form or application for someone to consider

is informal and focused on checking a proposed choice before deciding
to run one's name past
vsto run a name by
6.8

To ask a person in charge to consider your name for a role

is specific to asking about a proposed choice before a final decision

Antonyms

to ignore
∞ 1.0

Choose not to pay attention to someone or something

to decide
113 1.0

To cause someone to make a choice

How Formal

to poll
60 2.1
to consult
292 3.5
to run a name by
4.2
to mention
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

run a name by infinitive
ran a name by past
run a name by past participle
running a name by present participle
runs a name by third person singular

Morphology

run + a + name + by

The meaning 'to ask for approval or feedback' arises from the phrasal pattern 'run ... by' where 'run' takes on a sense of presenting or testing something; this is related to but not the same as the core sense of 'run' given ('to manage'). Because the particular use 'run a name by someone' is a conventionalized phrasal-verb construction, a B1 learner who only knows the literal constituents would only partially infer it and would likely need exposure to confirm the exact meaning.

Etymology

Run a name by comes from the image of quickly running up to someone and saying a name as you pass by, like asking for a quick opinion. So it means 'to ask for approval' or 'feedback' about a name.