run through

phrasal verb·3 senses·particle through

Meanings

1

Quickly review or rehearse something

Why “through”? You check each part from start to finish.

Let's run through the plan.
Let's quickly review the plan.
Let's run through the checklist before takeoff.
Let's quickly review the checklist before takeoff.
Let me run through the agenda.
Let me quickly review the agenda item by item.
2

Pierce a person with a sword or sharp weapon

Why “through”? Movement goes from one side to the other.

He was run through with a sword.
He was pierced with a sword.
The knight was run through by a spear.
The knight was pierced by a spear.
3

Be a constant theme or feature in something

A theme of loss runs through the novel.
A theme of loss is a constant feature in the novel.
A feeling of hope runs through the speech.
A feeling of hope is a constant feature in the speech.

Don't confuse with

run throughrun around

Run through means quickly review or rehearse something. Run around means go to many places quickly to do tasks.

Test yourself

Let's run through the plan. What does it mean?

Nearby in the meaning map

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