to run high
- phrasal verb
- Tensions often ran high on the first day of class.
- tensions ran high
You know, you have you have passions that are running high and reasons, reasons running low.
- You know, you have you have passions that are running high and reasons, reasons running low.
- Obviously during a divorce, emotions are running high.
- Good morning guys what up vlog Monday morning Jets game devastating emotions running high.
Examples
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The expectations for QE3 have been running high all summer, as the stock market rose.
Blog text (18) -
As a result, tensions will run high until the end of the Games.
Academic text (2008) -
Feeling is running high in the city.
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From what I hear, feeling amongst them is running high.
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Emotions run high, and they should.
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Emotions run high in here.
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Their expectation is running high, and that confidence has an impact.
Academic text (1991) -
And today outside the EU headquarters, tensions run high.
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With tensions running high, control of the gunpowder becomes a priority for both sides.
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Emotions are running high as the team prepares for the championship game.
Synonyms
To become very angry or excited
Antonyms
How Intense
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'to be very intense' is directly derivable from combining 'run' (to display a characteristic or be at a level) with 'high' (at an elevated degree or intensity). This compositional pattern (X runs high = X is at a high level) is common and follows normal English syntax, so a B1 learner who knows both words will very likely infer the meaning.
Etymology
The phrase run high makes a picture of water that runs up to a high level after heavy rain. So when feelings or hopes run high today, they are 'very strong'.