PhrasesHub

Run of the mill

    Definitions

      • Average or ordinary
        To describe something as unexceptional or not noteworthy in any way

      • Commonplace or routine
        To refer to something that is familiar or occurs frequently without any unique or special qualities

      • Lacking in originality or creativity
        To describe something as mundane or uninteresting, often used in a negative connotation

    Examples of Run of the mill

    • The company's products are run of the mill, nothing special about them.

      This idiom is used to describe something that is ordinary, average, or unremarkable. It implies that the products are not unique or innovative, but rather typical and common.

    • The restaurant's menu is run of the mill, with the usual burgers and fries.

      This example shows how the idiom can be used to describe a specific aspect of something, in this case, the menu items. It suggests that the restaurant's menu is not particularly creative or diverse, but rather predictable and common.

    • The presentation was run of the mill, lacking any original ideas.

      This example illustrates how the idiom can be used to describe the quality or content of something, in this case, the presentation. It implies that the presentation was uninspired and lacked any fresh or innovative ideas.

    • The movie was run of the mill, with a predictable plot and clichéd characters.

      This example demonstrates how the idiom can be used to describe multiple aspects of something, in this case, the movie. It suggests that the movie was not particularly engaging or original, but rather formulaic and unoriginal.

    • The teacher's lectures were run of the mill, with no interactive activities or discussions.

      This example shows how the idiom can be used to describe the teaching style or approach of someone, in this case, the teacher. It implies that the teacher's lectures were not particularly engaging or effective, but rather dull and uninspiring.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "run of the mill" is commonly used to describe something as average or ordinary. It can be used to refer to something that is not noteworthy or unique in any way, or something that is familiar and occurs frequently without any special qualities. Additionally, it can also be used to describe something as lacking in originality or creativity, often in a negative sense.

    Origin of "Run of the mill"

    The origin of the idiom "run of the mill" is believed to have come from the early days of milling, where grain or other materials were ground or crushed using a mill. This process was considered to be a basic and routine task, and the resulting product was often seen as average or ordinary. Over time, the phrase "run of the mill" began to be used figuratively to describe anything that was unexceptional or typical.

    Another possible origin of the idiom could be from the textile industry, where cloth was often produced in large quantities and considered to be of standard quality. This type of production was known as "run of the mill" and may have contributed to the common usage of the phrase in everyday language.

    Overall, the idiom "run of the mill" has its origins in industrial and manufacturing processes, and has come to be used in a more general sense to describe anything that is average, ordinary, or lacking in uniqueness.