in the running

Idioms  

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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Example Sentences

It is high time a woman took charge of the United Nations, argued three of the candidates in the running to take over as secretary-general, at a debate on Tuesday.

From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026

The interest in the 23-year-old is genuine, though the Gunners are not the only club in the running for Rogers with Manchester United also monitoring the forward's situation.

From BBC • Jun. 1, 2026

“Nobody Wants This” “Despite the absence of last year’s comedy powerhouse ‘The Studio,’ the competition remains stiff with long-running heavyweights like ‘Hacks,’ ‘The Bear,’ ‘Abbott’ and ‘Only Murders’ all in the running once again.

From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2026

‘The Lost Boys,’ ‘Titanique’ and ‘Schmigadoon!’ are among the contenders for best musical, while the Pulitzer-winning ‘Liberation’ and the Roald Dahl bio-drama ‘Giant’ are in the running for best play.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026

I handed her the towel, and she dipped it in the running water and ran it over her face.

From "The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora" by Pablo Cartaya

Related Words

• acceptable
• likely
• qualified
• suitable