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Run into the Ground

What Does "Run into the Ground" Mean?

homeidiomsRun into the Ground
"Run into the ground" is an English idiom. It means "to overwork, exhaust, or deplete something to the point of weariness, failure, or destruction; to excessively use or exploit a resource."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "run into the ground" used in a sentence:
  • The manager's constant demands and micromanagement eventually ran the team into the ground, leading to low morale and burnout.
  • The company's aggressive expansion strategy ended up running their finances into the ground, resulting in financial troubles.
  • Without proper maintenance, the machinery began to break down, as years of operation had run it into the ground.
meaning for run into the ground

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Run into the Ground" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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