three-legged race

American  

noun

1. a race among a number of paired contestants, each contestant having one leg tied to the adjacent leg of their partner.

---

three-legged race British  

noun

1. a race in which pairs of competitors run with their adjacent legs tied together

---

Etymology

Origin of three-legged race

First recorded in 1900–05

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

three-legged race

It’s as if they imagine collaborative fiction as a kind of three-legged race: goofy and fun at an office picnic, but ill suited to a serious runner.

From Salon ● May 25, 2015

MasterChef The young chefs attempt to bake while in a three-legged race.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 17, 2014

Caleb found a way to participate in nearly all of the physical activities, including the three-legged race, for which an extra “leg” was attached to his walker.

From Washington Post ● Jun. 23, 2013

But for virtually all, it has become a three-legged race that is impossible to win alone.

From Inc ● Jun. 4, 2013

While Oscar and Noah fumble along like they’re in a three-legged race, I try to calm the electrical storm in my head.

From "I'll Give You the Sun" by Jandy Nelson

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---