PhrasesHub

Run rings around

    Definitions

      • outperform or outsmart
        To outperform or outsmart someone in a particular activity or task, usually by demonstrating superior skill or intelligence

      • confuse or bewilder
        To confuse or bewilder someone with one's actions or words, leaving them feeling uncertain or disoriented

    Examples of Run rings around

    • Sarah is a top-notch debater who can run rings around her opponents. She always seems to have a counterargument for everything they say.

      This idiom means that someone is far more skilled or competent than their opponent, and is able to easily outsmart them. The phrase "run rings around" comes from the image of a horse running quickly and skillfully around a ring, leaving others far behind.

    • Michael's boss was impressed with how quickly he was able to adapt to his new role. He ran rings around the rest of the team in figuring out how to implement the new strategy.

      This shows that the person being talked about was able to excel in a new situation, surpassing others who had more experience in that area.

    • Marc deserves the promotion - he has been consistently running rings around his colleagues in terms of productivity and leadership.

      This demonstrates that the person being spoken about is clearly the best choice for a job or raise, outstripping everyone else in the department in terms of performance.

    • During the negotiation, our sales team was able to run rings around the client's team, thanks to their superior knowledge of the industry and their product.

      This shows that in a bargaining situation, one side was able to come out on top by outmaneuvering the other side. It implies a strong strategic advantage that led to a favorable outcome.

    • In a debate, Sarah's opponent was confident, but Sarah was able to run rings around him with her extensive knowledge of the subject and quick-witted responses.

      The idiom "run rings around" means to outperform or outsmart someone to a significant extent. In this example, Sarah was able to leave her opponent behind and effortlessly navigate the debate due to her superior skills.

    • The sales executive, Peter, had faced tough competitors in the past, but this time he knew he could run rings around them. He had done his research and was prepared to showcase his expertise during the presentation.

      The idiom "run rings around" can also be used to express confidence or anticipation before an event, as in this example, where Peter is expecting to perform exceptionally well and outdo his competitors.

    • At the chess tournament, the grandmaster, Alexei, was a formidable opponent, but his challenger, Tony, was determined to run rings around him. Tony had studied every one of Alexei's moves and was prepared to pull off a surprise victory.

      The idiom "run rings around" in this context refers to outmaneuvering or outsmarting someone in a game or competition by anticipating their moves and executing superior strategies.

    • The team captain, Sarah, had led her team to victory in the previous season, and this time she was expecting to run rings around their rivals. She had assembled a team of the best players in the league and was confident that her strategy would lead to another championship win.

      In this example, the idiom "run rings around" can also be used to express a sense of superiority or confidence in one's ability to succeed against rivals or challengers.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "run rings around" is commonly used to describe the act of outperforming or outsmarting someone. It can also be used to convey the idea of confusing or bewildering someone. For example, if someone says "She can run rings around anyone on the debate team," they are indicating that she is exceptionally skilled at debating and can easily outperform others. On the other hand, if someone says "His explanations run rings around me," they are expressing that they find his explanations confusing and difficult to understand.

    Origin of "Run rings around"

    The origin of the idiom "run rings around" can be traced back to the 19th century, with the word "ring" referring to a circular path or route. The expression likely originated from the world of sports, particularly in track and field events where athletes would run laps around a circular track. Over time, the phrase evolved to symbolize the idea of outperforming or outmaneuvering someone, as if running circles around them. The figurative use of the idiom expanded to encompass a broader range of activities and tasks, reflecting the notion of surpassing or perplexing someone through superior ability or cunning.