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in the running

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See synonyms for in the running on Thesaurus.com
1

Entered as a competitor in a contest. For example, Is Mary in the running for this election? The antonym, out of the running, means “not entered as a competitor,” as in Ian is out of the running for the job now that he's living in another state. [Mid-1800s]

2

Having a chance to win, as in Mary's still in the running for the promotion. Again, out of the running means the opposite, as in He's too old—he's out of the running. [Mid-1800s] Both usages allude to the entry and chances of a horse in a race.

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Words nearby in the running

in the raw, in the red, in there pitching, in the rough, in the round, in the running, in the saddle, in the same boat, in the same breath, in the same league, in the same mold
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

Words related to in the running

likely, qualified, acceptable, suitable, time, opportunity, show, cut, shot, fling, run, possibility, vacancy, squeak, connection, place, scope, go, occasion, whack

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