in the running: meaning and explanation

If you are in the running for something, you are still involved in the competition for something and therefore still have a chance of being successful.

For example – if you say that four people are in the running for a job, it means that the company are considering four different people – they all have a chance of getting the job.

Have a go at this dictation exercise to hear this expression being used in context – how much can you understand?

Dictation #1

Accent: England (RP)

Difficult

Dublin , Olympics.

Medium

After Dublin , four cities in host Olympics.

Easy

After Dublin out, four cities still in the to host Olympics.

About the sentence

…After Dublin pulled out…

Do you remember the meaning of the phrasal verb pull out of something?

Discussion questions

Write your answers to these questions in the comments section, and I’ll get back to you with some feedback:

  • The photo for this exercise is of an athletics track. Why do you think I chose this photo?
  • Are you currently in the running for anything?

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Idioms

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