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.
There is recent precedent for the play that wins the Pulitzer to also find itself in the running for a Tony.
From Los Angeles Times • May 4, 2026
Friar worked at the bank for more than a decade as an investment banker and research analyst, putting her in the running for partner.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 2, 2026
"Two of the three big European airline groups... are in the running, which demonstrates the attractiveness of the company as well as the country," said Finance Minister Joaquim Miranda Sarmento.
From Barron's • Apr. 23, 2026
It’s not clear who will replace her, though Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin is rumored to be in the running.
From Slate • Apr. 2, 2026
I hadn’t even known I was in the running.
From "Courage to Soar" by Simone Biles
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.
