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.
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
Chris's guest, Angry Ginge, was never in the running, however.
From BBC • Mar. 19, 2026
If they continue to work, Yamamoto could be in the running for the Cy Young Award, after finishing third in National League voting last year.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 17, 2026
Blackpool, Inverness-Highland, Ipswich, Middlesbrough and Milton Keynes are among the places in the running for the title of the UK's City of Culture 2029.
From BBC • Mar. 17, 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
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.
