Idiom
In the running
What does 'in the running' mean?
'In the running' means a person, team, or organisation is still being considered and has an active chance of being chosen or winning. For example, 'Our design team is in the running for the contract.' It does not mean guaranteed success; 'out of the running' means the chance has ended.
Key points
- The idiom describes an unfinished selection or competition.
- Use a form of 'be' before 'in the running'.
- Use 'for' before an opportunity or prize.
- Use 'to' before a base verb describing an action.
Can you use "In the running" yourself?
This lesson has 5 stages. You can stop at any time and continue later.
Stage 1 of 5
Understand
What it means, when to use it, and mistakes to avoid.
The full explanation
'In the running' means having an active possibility of being selected, hired, or awarded a victory. It shows that someone is being considered alongside other contenders before a decision is finalized.
Three local bakeries are in the running for the festival contract.
Why it works: Each bakery remains an active contender being considered for the contract.
2 more examples
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Elena is still in the running to lead the design team.
Elena has not been eliminated and could still be appointed as team leader.
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After missing the registration deadline, our club is out of the running.
The club has lost any realistic chance of being selected.
Read the full guide
Decide if a choice is still possible
Start by observing whether a selection process is ongoing. When several candidates apply for an award, an open position, or a contract, the final choice takes time. Anyone who has not been eliminated remains an active option. Use 'in the running' to describe that open possibility. The phrase does not mean physical exercise, leading a race, or having already won. It means the decision makers are still considering that candidate.
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Four architects are in the running for the new library project.
Why it works: The committee is reviewing all four architects before making a final award.
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Our school soccer team is in the running for the division trophy.
Why it works: The team still has a mathematical chance to win the tournament.
Your turn
What does it mean if a candidate is 'in the running'?
Answer: The candidate is still being considered and has a chance.
Show the answer
Answer: The candidate is still being considered and has a chance.
'In the running' describes someone who remains an active contender in an unsettled decision.
Describe a café seeking a festival space
Marco: 'Did you hear back from the festival organizer about our application?' Sophie: 'Yes! Our café passed the initial review, so we are in the running for the corner stall. They have not made their final choice yet, but we are still on the shortlist.' Marco: 'That is great news. At least we still have an active chance.' This direct dialogue between two café owners illustrates how to share progress realistically. Sophie avoids claiming victory prematurely. Instead, she uses 'in the running' to confirm that the business remains an active contender being evaluated by the committee.
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Our café is in the running for the main food tent.
Why it works: The café is one of several food businesses the organizer might pick.
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Two catering companies are in the running to supply the festival drinks.
Why it works: Both companies are being evaluated for the beverage contract.
This also comes up in The final straw and Job interview English: Clear answers and pauses.
Your turn
Why does Sophie say her café is 'in the running' for the corner stall?
Answer: Her application passed the first review and remains under consideration.
Show the answer
Answer: Her application passed the first review and remains under consideration.
Sophie uses the idiom because her café survived the first round and remains an active possibility.
Build the phrase with be and prepositions
Construct this phrase using a subject followed by the verb 'be' and the fixed chunk 'in the running'. Conjugate 'be' for your subject and time frame: 'I am', 'the team is', or 'three firms were'. Follow the idiom with 'for' plus a noun to name the prize, as in 'in the running for a festival space'. Use 'to' plus a base verb for an action, such as 'in the running to run the snack stall'. To ask a question, place 'be' before the subject: 'Is our café in the running?' For negatives, add 'not' after 'be': 'We are not in the running.' Never use 'do' or 'does' with this pattern.
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Is your bakery in the running for the contract?
Why it works: A question formed by placing the verb 'is' before the subject.
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David was not in the running to manage the branch.
Why it works: A past negative statement using 'was not' rather than 'did not'.
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Five cities are in the running to host the conference.
Why it works: The preposition 'to' pairs with the base verb 'host'.
Your turn
Which sentence forms a correct question with this pattern?
Answer: Are both local bakeries in the running for the festival space?
Show the answer
Answer: Are both local bakeries in the running for the festival space?
Form questions by moving the verb 'be' before the subject, keeping 'in the running' intact.
Show continuing chances or clear elimination
Add the adverb 'still' when you want to emphasize that someone survived earlier cuts: 'Our café is still in the running.' This signals persistence across multiple rounds. When all hope disappears and an option is eliminated, use 'out of the running' or 'no longer in the running'. Remember that staying in the running does not measure how strong a chance is. An applicant can be an outsider with a small chance, but as long as the selection panel has not formally rejected them, they remain in the running. When things are completely undecided, speakers often say the outcome is /idioms/up-in-the-air/.
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After the second interview, Priya is still in the running.
Why it works: 'Still' highlights that Priya continues as a candidate after earlier eliminations.
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A damaged wheel put the racing driver out of the running.
Why it works: 'Out of the running' shows the driver has lost any chance of winning.
Your turn
What does it mean if a team is 'out of the running'?
Answer: The team has no realistic chance left and has been eliminated.
Show the answer
Answer: The team has no realistic chance left and has been eliminated.
'Out of the running' is the direct opposite of 'in the running', meaning elimination.
Use the phrase in conversations and updates
Use 'in the running' in everyday spoken English, team meetings, workplace updates, and broadcast sports journalism. It sounds natural and collaborative when speaking to coworkers, family members, or business partners. It communicates hope and progress without exaggerating success. If you are drafting a formal legal tender, an audit report, or an official procurement notice, choose plainer terminology such as 'still being considered' or 'under active evaluation'. The idiom remains widely accepted in professional speaking, but formal contracts prefer literal wording.
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We gave our presentation, so our agency is in the running.
Why it works: Natural, conversational tone suitable for an update to colleagues.
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Three vendors remain under consideration for the regional contract.
Why it works: A formal written alternative to 'in the running' for official documentation.
Your turn
Which alternative works best in a formal procurement audit instead of 'in the running'?
Answer: Under active consideration
Show the answer
Answer: Under active consideration
'Under active consideration' provides a formal, literal equivalent suitable for official documentation.
Avoid common preposition and article errors
English learners sometimes produce errors by replacing prepositions or omitting articles. Never say 'on the running' or 'out from the running'; the correct idioms are strictly 'in the running' and 'out of the running'. Always retain the definite article: saying 'in running' is incorrect. Furthermore, do not treat 'running' here as an action verb in the continuous aspect. It functions as part of a fixed noun phrase. Finally, do not confuse being in the running with a confirmed victory. If you announce success before the organizer finishes the decision, colleagues might say you /idioms/jump-the-gun/.
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Incorrect: Three cities are on the running to host the expo.
Why it works: Preposition error: use 'in', never 'on'.
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Incorrect: Our café is still in running for the booth.
Why it works: Article omission: always include 'the' before 'running'.
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Correct: Our café is still in the running for the booth.
Why it works: The complete, natural fixed phrase.
Your turn
Which sentence contains an error with the fixed idiom?
Answer: Their startup is still on the running for the investment fund.
Show the answer
Answer: Their startup is still on the running for the investment fund.
'On the running' is an error; standard English requires 'in the running'.
Hear weak articles and primary word stress
Listen carefully to how native speakers link these words: /ɪn ðə ˈrʌnɪŋ/. The preposition 'in' connects directly to the definite article 'the', which is reduced to a weak schwa sound /ðə/. Speakers do not emphasize 'the'. Instead, the first syllable of 'running' (/ˈrʌn/) receives primary stress. The final '-ing' suffix is pronounced /ɪŋ/ with a nasal sound, without releasing a separate hard /g/ consonant. Because 'in the' passes very quickly, train your ear to recognize the rhythm: a quick weak lead-in followed by a clear, stressed syllable.
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She is in the running. -> /ʃiː ɪz ɪn ðə ˈrʌnɪŋ/
Why it works: The article 'the' is reduced to /ðə/, and primary stress falls on 'run'.
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We are still in the running. -> /wiː ɑːr stɪl ɪn ðə ˈrʌnɪŋ/
Why it works: Notice how 'still' and 'run' carry more prominence than 'in the'.
Your turn
Where does the primary stress fall when pronouncing 'in the running'?
Answer: On the first syllable of 'running'
Show the answer
Answer: On the first syllable of 'running'
Primary stress lands on the first syllable of 'running' (/ˈrʌn/), while 'the' is reduced.
Write a progress update for an open result
When you write an update about an unresolved decision, reconstruct the phrase deliberately from its core pieces. State who is being considered, use the correct present or past form of 'be', insert the fixed idiom 'in the running', and specify the opportunity with 'for' or 'to'. If you want to show that earlier hurdles have passed, place 'still' directly before the idiom. When you predict future outcomes based on evidence, review /grammar/future-predictions/. Practice reconstructing these pieces accurately so your updates remain clear, professional, and objective.
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Our neighborhood proposal is still in the running for the green grant.
Why it works: A complete written update naming the subject, status, and opportunity.
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Two software firms are in the running to design the council portal.
Why it works: Clear written update connecting the phrase to an action infinitive.
Your turn
Reconstruct the missing phrase to complete this update: 'Our research team [ _____ ] the annual science prize.'
Answer: is still in the running for
Show the answer
Answer: is still in the running for
Reconstructing the phrase correctly requires 'is', the adverb 'still', the fixed chunk 'in the running', and 'for' before the noun phrase.
Common mistakes with "in the running"
What learners often say, what to say instead, and why.
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Not this:
The agency is on the running for the contract.Say: The agency is in the running for the contract.
The fixed idiom uses 'in', not 'on'.
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Not this:
Three applicants are in running for the post.Say: Three applicants are in the running for the post.
The fixed expression always includes the article 'the'.
-
Not this:
Does the team in the running for the prize?Say: Is the team in the running for the prize?
Questions use a form of 'be', not 'do', with this idiom.
Use it naturally
How people really use “in the running”
Neutral Fine almost anywhere, at work or with friends.
Words it often goes with
- still in the runningDespite a slow start, our team is still in the running.
- in the running for first prizeMy photograph is in the running for first prize.
- in the running to leadSam is in the running to lead the research project.
What people also say
- “We're still in the running.” instead of “We still have a possibility of being selected.”A shorter, natural way to describe an undecided selection.
Questions about "In the running"
Does 'in the running' mean someone is likely to win?
No. The phrase only indicates that someone remains a candidate with an active chance. It does not measure the probability of victory. A person can be in the running even if they are an underdog or an outside choice.
Marcus is in the running for class president, but three other candidates have more support.
Can I use 'in the running' for a job or a business?
Yes. You can use this expression for individual job applicants, sports teams, small businesses, and community organizations. Whenever a decision maker considers multiple options for a contract, role, or prize, those options are in the running.
Our local print shop is in the running for the regional supply contract.
Do I say 'in the running for' or 'in the running to'?
Use 'for' before a noun phrase that names the prize or opportunity. Use 'to' followed by a base verb when you describe the action someone might take. You can also stop after 'running' if the context is already obvious.
She is in the running for the award.
He is in the running to lead the project.
What does 'still in the running' mean?
The adverb 'still' emphasizes that someone has survived earlier rounds of elimination. Selection processes often drop candidates stage by stage, so adding 'still' confirms that the opportunity has not slipped away.
After two rounds of reviews, our proposal is still in the running.
Is 'out of the running' the opposite?
Yes. Saying someone is 'out of the running' means they have been eliminated or have lost any realistic possibility of being chosen. You can also say they are 'no longer in the running'.
A missed deadline put our team out of the running.
Can I say 'in running' without 'the'?
No. The definite article 'the' is an essential part of the fixed idiom. Saying 'in running' or 'on the running' is ungrammatical in standard English and will sound unnatural to native speakers.
Three applicants are in the running for the manager position.
Before you go
Remember this
Use 'in the running' when someone remains a possible choice in an unfinished selection. Remember to keep the word 'the', pair the idiom with 'be', and use 'out of the running' when an option is eliminated.
Stage 2 of 5
Listen
Hear it in real sentences, from short to long, and write what you hear.
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Listening 1 of 4
Listen, then type what you hear. Replay as often as you need.
0:00
- Elena is still in the running to lead the design team.
- After missing the registration deadline, our club is out of the running.
Read the transcript
Our small café is in the running.
This short sentence uses 'be' and 'in the running' to confirm that the café remains under consideration.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- listen for "i-sin": "is in" flows together without a pause.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- listen for "i-sin": "is in" flows together without a pause.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- listen for "i-sin": "is in" flows together without a pause.
Listening 2 of 4
Listen, then type what you hear. Replay as often as you need.
0:00
- Elena is still in the running to lead the design team.
- After missing the registration deadline, our club is out of the running.
Read the transcript
Both bakeries are in the running.
Notice the plural subject 'Both bakeries' taking the plural verb 'are'.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- listen for "bakerie-sare": the final sound of "bakeries" connects to "are" without a pause.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- listen for "bakerie-sare": the final sound of "bakeries" connects to "are" without a pause.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- listen for "bakerie-sare": the final sound of "bakeries" connects to "are" without a pause.
- A small word like this is said quickly and softly, not as written.
Try a longer clip. Listen once, then replay the part you missed.
Listening 3 of 4
Listen, then type what you hear. Replay as often as you need.
0:00
- Elena is still in the running to lead the design team.
- After missing the registration deadline, our club is out of the running.
Read the transcript
Our school choir is still in the running. The judges will choose the winning group on Monday morning.
The speaker adds 'still' to show that the choir survived previous rounds of judging.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- listen for "choi-ris": the r in "choir" connects to "is".
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- listen for "choi-ris": the r in "choir" connects to "is".
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- listen for "choi-ris": the r in "choir" connects to "is".
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
This clip is longer. Follow the instruction above the answer field.
Listening 4 of 4
Listen, then type the missing words. The rest of the text is already there.
0:00
- Elena is still in the running to lead the design team.
- After missing the registration deadline, our club is out of the running.
Read the transcript
Our café is still in the running. A festival organizer called our shop this morning with encouraging news. Many local businesses applied earlier, but our shop is on the final shortlist. If we secure this outdoor stall, our staff will serve fresh coffee all summer. Everyone should prepare our signature drinks before tomorrow morning.
This mini-scene demonstrates how 'still in the running' fits a multi-stage selection where contenders are narrowed down.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- listen for "stil-lin": the final l in "still" connects to "in".
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- listen for "stil-lin": the final l in "still" connects to "in".
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- listen for "stil-lin": the final l in "still" connects to "in".
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
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Save my progressStage 3 of 5
Speak
Say it with the speaker, then use it in your own answer.
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Say it along with the speaker
Our small café is in the running.
Play the line slowly, then speak at the same time as the speaker. Copy the rhythm, not just the words.
Your turn
Say it your way
Imagine you entered a photography contest at a museum. Speak for 30 to 60 seconds from memory about your chances, another photographer who was eliminated, and what you will do while waiting for the result.
Use: still in the running out of the running
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0:00
Hear how someone else might say it
I entered a photography contest at our city museum, and I'm still in the running for first prize. The judges have picked five photos for the final round, including mine. Another photographer is out of the running because his picture was taken outside the city, which was against the rules. I feel excited, although the other photos are excellent, so I'm trying to keep my expectations realistic. The museum will announce the winner next Friday. While I wait, I'll go out with my camera and start working on a new project.
Try once more and answer this: What did you photograph for the contest?
Stage 4 of 5
Write
Write about your own day or week using it, then write a message.
Write
Put it in your own words
- I used “in the running”.
- It is about my life, not the lesson’s example.
- I read it once aloud to check it sounds right.
Write your own response
Choose a situation and write 30–50 words in your own wording. This is separate from typing the exact words in a recording.
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Read one possible response
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