in the running
Idioms-
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]
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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.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Five women and three men are so far in the running to succeed Antonio Guterres of Portugal, who will complete his second five-year term on December 31, 2026.
From Barron's ● Aug. 18, 2026
Chad could be in the running to be the third, especially if the Red Sox make the playoffs.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026
Here’s what you need to know about the 12 candidates in the running.
From Slate ● Jul. 16, 2026
Sterling is finding support from speculation that U.K. energy secretary Ed Miliband is no longer in the running to become treasury chief under likely prime minister in-waiting Andy Burnham, Monex Europe analysts said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 15, 2026
While Jackson won the popular vote, none of the five candidates in the running that year received enough electoral votes to win.
From "In the Shadow of Liberty" by Kenneth C. Davis
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
