to run adrift

7.5

To float without control and with no clear direction, as a boat or a group's plans

phrasal verb
/rʌn əˈdrɪft/

: ir a la deriva

The boat ran adrift during the storm.

Examples

The company's strategy seems to run adrift without a clear leader.
Without a strong plan, our efforts began to run adrift halfway through the project.
After the storm, the boat was left to run adrift in the open ocean.
After the captain left, the ship ran adrift.
After the storm, the boat was left to run adrift in the open ocean.
The company's strategy seems to run adrift without a clear leader.
Without a strong plan, our efforts began to run adrift halfway through the project.

Synonyms

to drift

vsto run adrift

331 2.9

To move slowly without a clear direction, for example when air or water move something

is mainly about floating uncontrolled at sea or lacking purpose in a situation

to be adrift

vsto run adrift

6 6.3

To be carried along by water or wind without control

focuses on being moved by currents rather than broader aimless movement

Antonyms

to direct

617 3.7

To lead people in a performance or project

to navigate

38 3.8

Plan and control the route of a vehicle like a ship or plane

How Controlled

to anchor

51 3.4

to steer

224 1.6

to float

645 1.0

to run adrift

7.5

Surface Forms

run adrift infinitive

ran adrift past

running adrift present participle

runs adrift third person singular

run adrift past participle

Morphology

run + adrift

The meaning 'to float without control / to lack guidance' is directly derivable from combining 'run' (to move or flow) with 'adrift' (without direction or guidance). This verb + adjective composition follows a common English pattern meaning 'become X' and has clear cross-linguistic parallels, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents should be able to infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Run adrift comes from boats at sea. When a boat loses its anchor or control, it will run adrift, floating where the wind and waves take it. That's why we say a person or plan 'runs adrift' when it is 'without direction' or 'lacking guidance'.