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Understanding idiomatic expressions is crucial for mastering the English language. The phrase “run for their money” is a common idiom used to describe a situation where someone faces a strong challenge or competition.
This article delves into the meaning, usage, and various synonyms for this idiom, providing a comprehensive understanding for English learners. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or simply someone looking to enhance your vocabulary, this guide will equip you with the knowledge to use and understand this idiom and its alternatives effectively.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Definition of “Run For Their Money”
- Structural Breakdown
- Types of Synonyms
- Examples of “Run For Their Money” and Synonyms
- Usage Rules
- Common Mistakes
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics
- FAQ
- Conclusion
Introduction
Idioms are phrases whose overall meaning differs from the literal meaning of the individual words. They add color and depth to the English language, making communication more engaging and nuanced.
The idiom “run for their money” signifies that someone or something is providing strong competition or a significant challenge. This article explores various synonyms for this idiom, providing a richer understanding of how to express the same concept in different ways.
By learning these alternatives, you can enhance your communication skills and better understand the nuances of the English language. This guide is designed for learners of all levels, from beginners to advanced speakers.
Definition of “Run For Their Money”
The idiom “run for their money” means to provide someone with a strong challenge or competition. It implies that the person being challenged has to work hard or put in extra effort to succeed.
The phrase often suggests that the outcome is uncertain and that the challenger has a good chance of winning or at least putting up a significant fight. It’s a dynamic expression suggesting active competition and effort.
The expression typically applies to contests, business rivalries, or any situation where there is a clear element of competition.
Classification: Idiomatic Expression
Function: To indicate strong competition or a significant challenge.
Contexts: Commonly used in sports, business, politics, and general competitive situations.
Structural Breakdown
The structure of the idiom “run for their money” is relatively straightforward. It consists of a verb (“run”), a preposition (“for”), a possessive pronoun (“their”), and a noun (“money”).
However, the meaning is not literal. The word “money” here represents value, effort, or resources.
The verb “run” implies active engagement and competition.
The phrase suggests that the person being challenged has to “spend” or exert a lot of effort (represented by “money”) to maintain their position or win. The idiom is typically used in the following structure: Subject + verb + run someone + for their money. For example: “The new startup will run the established companies for their money.”
Types of Synonyms
There are several ways to express the idea of “run for their money” using different synonyms. These can be broadly categorized into:
Direct Synonyms
These are phrases that closely mirror the meaning of “run for their money” and can often be used interchangeably. Examples include: “give a good challenge,” “put up a fight,” and “provide strong competition.”
Figurative Synonyms
These are phrases which use figurative language to express the same concept. These synonyms might not contain the exact same literal meaning, but they convey a similar competitive spirit.
Examples include: “keep someone on their toes,” “make someone sweat,” and “give someone a run for their life.”
Informal Synonyms
These are more casual expressions that convey the same idea in a less formal setting. Examples include: “make it tough,” “give them a hard time,” and “push them to the limit.”
Formal Synonyms
These are more professional and sophisticated ways to express the idea of strong competition. Examples include: “pose a significant threat,” “present a formidable challenge,” and “offer stiff competition.”
Examples of “Run For Their Money” and Synonyms
Below are several examples demonstrating the use of “run for their money” and its various synonyms in different contexts. These examples are organized into tables for clarity.
Direct Synonyms Examples
The following table illustrates the use of direct synonyms for “run for their money.” These synonyms closely mirror the original idiom’s meaning and can often be used interchangeably.
| Original Sentence | Synonym | Sentence with Synonym |
|---|---|---|
| The underdog team is going to run the champions for their money in the finals. | Give a good challenge | The underdog team is going to give the champions a good challenge in the finals. |
| This new product will run the market leader for their money. | Put up a fight | This new product will put up a fight against the market leader. |
| The small business is running the large corporation for their money with its innovative ideas. | Provide strong competition | The small business is providing strong competition to the large corporation with its innovative ideas. |
| She’s determined to run her rival for her money in the upcoming election. | Offer a challenge | She’s determined to offer a challenge to her rival in the upcoming election. |
| The new software update will run the old version for its money. | Present a challenge | The new software update will present a challenge to the old version. |
| The young artist is running the established painters for their money with his unique style. | Compete fiercely | The young artist is competing fiercely with the established painters with his unique style. |
| This startup is definitely going to run the industry giants for their money. | Be a strong contender | This startup is definitely going to be a strong contender against the industry giants. |
| The independent film is running the blockbuster movies for their money at the film festival. | Give them a tough competition | The independent film is giving the blockbuster movies a tough competition at the film festival. |
| He is going to run the top players for their money in the tournament. | Challenge them | He is going to challenge them in the tournament. |
| The community garden will run the commercial farms for their money with its organic produce. | Rival them | The community garden will rival them with its organic produce. |
| Our team is ready to run the reigning champions for their money. | Mount a challenge | Our team is ready to mount a challenge against the reigning champions. |
| The new restaurant will run the established eateries for their money. | Present stiff competition | The new restaurant will present stiff competition to the established eateries. |
| The innovative technology is poised to run the outdated systems for their money. | Contest their dominance | The innovative technology is poised to contest their dominance. |
| The grassroots campaign is running the well-funded campaign for its money. | Offer a strong fight | The grassroots campaign is offering a strong fight against the well-funded campaign. |
| This up-and-coming band is going to run the famous bands for their money. | Provide a real contest | This up-and-coming band is going to provide a real contest for the famous bands. |
| The budget-friendly product is running the luxury brands for their money. | Challenge their position | The budget-friendly product is challenging their position. |
| The local school is running the prestigious academy for its money with its dedicated teachers. | Give a good run | The local school is giving a good run to the prestigious academy with its dedicated teachers. |
| The small bookstore is running the large chain stores for their money with its personalized service. | Be a tough rival | The small bookstore is being a tough rival to the large chain stores with its personalized service. |
| The amateur athlete is running the professional athletes for their money at the competition. | Put up a good contest | The amateur athlete is putting up a good contest against the professional athletes at the competition. |
| The open-source software is running the proprietary software for its money. | Provide a competing alternative | The open-source software is providing a competing alternative. |
Figurative Synonyms Examples
The following table provides examples of figurative synonyms for “run for their money.” These phrases use imagery and metaphors to convey the idea of strong competition or a challenging situation.
| Original Sentence | Synonym | Sentence with Synonym |
|---|---|---|
| The new intern is running the senior employees for their money with her innovative ideas. | Keeping them on their toes | The new intern is keeping the senior employees on their toes with her innovative ideas. |
| This intense project will run the team for their money. | Make them sweat | This intense project will make the team sweat. |
| The unexpected results ran the analysts for their money. | Gave them a run for their life | The unexpected results gave the analysts a run for their life. |
| The challenging exam will run the students for their money. | Put them to the test | The challenging exam will put the students to the test. |
| This difficult decision will run the board for their money. | Give them something to think about | This difficult decision will give the board something to think about. |
| The complex problem will run the engineers for their money. | Challenge their expertise | The complex problem will challenge their expertise. |
| This crisis will run the leadership for their money. | Force them to step up | This crisis will force the leadership to step up. |
| The unexpected competition will run the established brand for their money. | Make them rethink their strategy | The unexpected competition will make them rethink their strategy. |
| The tight deadline will run the project team for their money. | Push them to the brink | The tight deadline will push the project team to the brink. |
| The intricate puzzle will run the solvers for their money. | Give them a real brain teaser | The intricate puzzle will give them a real brain teaser. |
| The unpredictable weather will run the farmers for their money. | Keep them guessing | The unpredictable weather will keep them guessing. |
| This demanding client will run the account managers for their money. | Test their patience | This demanding client will test their patience. |
| The rapid changes in technology will run the IT department for their money. | Force them to adapt quickly | The rapid changes in technology will force them to adapt quickly. |
| The new regulations will run the business owners for their money. | Make them change their practices | The new regulations will make them change their practices. |
| This challenging course will run the students for their money. | Make them work hard | This challenging course will make them work hard. |
| The economic downturn will run the investors for their money. | Make them more cautious | The economic downturn will make them more cautious. |
| The constant innovation will run the competitors for their money. | Force them to innovate faster | The constant innovation will force them to innovate faster. |
| The evolving market trends will run the marketers for their money. | Make them stay ahead | The evolving market trends will make them stay ahead. |
| The increasing security threats will run the cybersecurity experts for their money. | Challenge their skills | The increasing security threats will challenge their skills. |
| The complex legal case will run the lawyers for their money. | Put their legal knowledge to the test | The complex legal case will put their legal knowledge to the test. |
Informal Synonyms Examples
This table demonstrates the use of informal synonyms for “run for their money.” These expressions are more casual and suitable for relaxed settings.
| Original Sentence | Synonym | Sentence with Synonym |
|---|---|---|
| The new kid on the block is going to run the veterans for their money. | Make it tough | The new kid on the block is going to make it tough for the veterans. |
| This project will definitely run us for our money. | Give us a hard time | This project will definitely give us a hard time. |
| That competitor is really running them for their money. | Push them to the limit | That competitor is really pushing them to the limit. |
| The unexpected problems ran the team for their money. | Gave them a headache | The unexpected problems gave the team a headache. |
| This challenging task will run the interns for their money. | Keep them busy | This challenging task will keep the interns busy. |
| The new boss is going to run the employees for their money. | Keep them on their toes | The new boss is going to keep the employees on their toes. |
| The difficult client will run the support staff for their money. | Give them a runaround | The difficult client will give the support staff a runaround. |
| This complicated issue will run the experts for their money. | Make them scratch their heads | This complicated issue will make them scratch their heads. |
| The tight budget will run the department for its money. | Make them get creative | The tight budget will make them get creative. |
| The unexpected delay will run the project manager for their money. | Give them a panic | The unexpected delay will give them a panic. |
| The sudden change in plans will run the organizers for their money. | Throw them for a loop | The sudden change in plans will throw them for a loop. |
| The demanding schedule will run the workers for their money. | Keep them hopping | The demanding schedule will keep them hopping. |
| This tricky situation will run the negotiators for their money. | Make them sweat | This tricky situation will make them sweat. |
| The unforeseen obstacles will run the climbers for their money. | Give them a challenge | The unforeseen obstacles will give them a challenge. |
| The fierce competition will run the businesses for their money. | Make them fight for survival | The fierce competition will make them fight for survival. |
| The complex regulations will run the lawyers for their money. | Keep them on their toes | The complex regulations will keep them on their toes. |
| The increasing demands will run the service providers for their money. | Make them work harder | The increasing demands will make them work harder. |
| The constant changes will run the planners for their money. | Give them a lot to handle | The constant changes will give them a lot to handle. |
| The difficult questions will run the interviewees for their money. | Make them think fast | The difficult questions will make them think fast. |
| The tight resources will run the researchers for their money. | Make them resourceful | The tight resources will make them resourceful. |
Formal Synonyms Examples
The following table illustrates formal synonyms for “run for their money,” suitable for professional and sophisticated contexts.
| Original Sentence | Synonym | Sentence with Synonym |
|---|---|---|
| The emerging market is going to run the established economies for their money. | Pose a significant threat | The emerging market is going to pose a significant threat to the established economies. |
| This new policy will run the existing regulations for their money. | Present a formidable challenge | This new policy will present a formidable challenge to the existing regulations. |
| The innovative technology will run the outdated systems for their money. | Offer stiff competition | The innovative technology will offer stiff competition to the outdated systems. |
| The well-prepared candidate will run the incumbent for their money. | Represent a serious challenge | The well-prepared candidate will represent a serious challenge to the incumbent. |
| This ambitious project will run the industry standards for their money. | Set a new benchmark | This ambitious project will set a new benchmark. |
| The rigorous analysis will run the conventional wisdom for its money. | Question established norms | The rigorous analysis will question established norms. |
| The strategic alliance will run the market leaders for their money. | Constitute a competitive force | The strategic alliance will constitute a competitive force. |
| The comprehensive report will run the previous studies for their money. | Offer a superior perspective | The comprehensive report will offer a superior perspective. |
| The enhanced security measures will run the existing protocols for their money. | Provide heightened protection | The enhanced security measures will provide heightened protection. |
| The sustainable practices will run the conventional methods for their money. | Offer a more responsible alternative | The sustainable practices will offer a more responsible alternative. |
| The advanced research will run the current theories for their money. | Advance beyond existing understanding | The advanced research will advance beyond existing understanding. |
| The improved infrastructure will run the outdated facilities for their money. | Provide a more efficient framework | The improved infrastructure will provide a more efficient framework. |
| The refined process will run the existing procedures for their money. | Offer a more streamlined approach | The refined process will offer a more streamlined approach. |
| The detailed assessment will run the preliminary evaluations for their money. | Offer a more thorough analysis | The detailed assessment will offer a more thorough analysis. |
| The innovative design will run the traditional styles for their money. | Introduce a groundbreaking aesthetic | The innovative design will introduce a groundbreaking aesthetic. |
| The integrated system will run the fragmented solutions for their money. | Provide a more cohesive platform | The integrated system will provide a more cohesive platform. |
| The tailored approach will run the generic methods for their money. | Offer a more personalized solution | The tailored approach will offer a more personalized solution. |
| The optimized algorithm will run the existing programs for their money. | Provide a more efficient process | The optimized algorithm will provide a more efficient process. |
| The comprehensive strategy will run the piecemeal tactics for their money. | Offer a more unified approach | The comprehensive strategy will offer a more unified approach. |
| The proactive measures will run the reactive responses for their money. | Provide a more preventative solution | The proactive measures will provide a more preventative solution. |
Usage Rules
The idiom “run for their money” and its synonyms are generally used to describe situations where there is a competitive element. Here are some guidelines to ensure correct usage:
- Context: Ensure the context involves competition, rivalry, or a challenge.
- Subject: The subject performing the action should be capable of posing a real challenge.
- Object: The object being challenged should be a person, group, or entity that is already established or considered strong.
- Tense: Use the appropriate tense to match the time frame of the situation (past, present, future).
Exceptions and Special Cases
While the idiom is generally straightforward, there are some nuances to consider:
- The idiom is more common in spoken and written English than in formal academic writing.
- It can be used humorously to exaggerate a minor challenge.
- The phrase can sometimes be used sarcastically, implying that the challenge is not as significant as it seems.
Common Mistakes
Here are some common mistakes to avoid when using “run for their money” and its synonyms:
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| The cat ran the mouse for its money. | The new software will run the old version for its money. | The idiom is usually used for competitive scenarios involving humans or human endeavors, not literal animal chases. |
| He is running for his money. | He is running the champion for his money. | The structure requires a clear subject and object, indicating who is challenging whom. |
| The team gave for their money. | The team gave them a good run for their money. | The idiom has a specific structure that must be followed for clarity. |
| The new company will run for money. | The new company will run the established giants for their money. | The idiom requires a specific target or recipient of the challenge. |
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding of “run for their money” and its synonyms with these exercises.
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Complete the following sentences using an appropriate synonym for “run for their money.”
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| The new startup is expected to ______ the established corporations. | give a good challenge to |
| This innovative product will ______ the market leaders. | offer stiff competition to |
| The young artist is determined to ______ the veteran painters. | put up a strong fight against |
| The small business is going to ______ the larger companies with its unique approach. | make it tough for |
| The challenging course will ______ the students this semester. | keep them on their toes |
| The new regulations will ______ the business owners. | give them a hard time |
| The demanding client will ______ the account managers. | test their patience |
| The rapid technological changes will ______ the IT department. | force them to adapt quickly |
| The unpredictable weather will ______ the farmers. | keep them guessing |
| The complex legal case will ______ the lawyers. | put their legal knowledge to the test |
Exercise 2: Sentence Transformation
Rewrite the following sentences using the idiom “run for their money.”
| Original Sentence | Transformed Sentence |
|---|---|
| The new team is expected to provide strong competition to the reigning champions. | The new team is expected to run the reigning champions for their money. |
| This innovative approach will challenge the traditional methods. | This innovative approach will run the traditional methods for their money. |
| The emerging artist is giving a tough time to the established painters. | The emerging artist is running the established painters for their money. |
| The small company is offering stiff competition to the large corporations. | The small company is running the large corporations for their money. |
| The challenging exam will test the students’ knowledge and skills. | The challenging exam will run the students for their money. |
| The new regulations will force businesses to change their practices. | The new regulations will run the businesses for their money. |
| The demanding project will push the team to their limits. | The demanding project will run the team for their money. |
| The complex problem will challenge the engineers’ expertise. | The complex problem will run the engineers for their money. |
| The unpredictable market will keep the investors guessing. | The unpredictable market will run the investors for their money. |
| The increasing demands will make the service providers work harder. | The increasing demands will run the service providers for their money. |
Exercise 3: Multiple Choice
Choose the best synonym for “run for their money” in the following sentences.
| Question | Options | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| The new app is going to ______ the existing platforms. | a) ignore b) challenge c) support d) avoid | b) challenge |
| This difficult task will ______ the team’s abilities. | a) simplify b) test c) neglect d) undermine | b) test |
| The innovative strategy will ______ the traditional approaches. | a) reinforce b) replace c) question d) maintain | c) question |
| The strict regulations will ______ the companies. | a) assist b) ease c) burden d) liberate | c) burden |
| The demanding clients will ______ the service providers. | a) satisfy b) overwhelm c) disregard d) please | b) overwhelm |
| The constant changes will ______ the planners. | a) stabilize b) confuse c) clarify d) comfort | b) confuse |
| The tight resources will ______ the researchers. | a) empower b) restrict c) support d) liberate | b) restrict |
| The fierce competition will ______ the businesses. | a) protect b) threaten c) aid d) neglect | b) threaten |
| The complex regulations will ______ the lawyers. | a) guide b) confuse c) assist d) simplify | b) confuse |
| The increasing demands will ______ the service providers. | a) relieve b) strain c) support d) neglect | b) strain |
Advanced Topics
For more advanced learners, consider these nuances and complex aspects of using “run for their money” and its synonyms:
- Nuances in Different Dialects: The usage and common synonyms might vary slightly in different English-speaking regions (e.g., British English vs. American English).
- Subtle Connotations: Different synonyms can carry slightly different connotations. “Give a good challenge” is more neutral, while “make them sweat” is more aggressive.
- Combining Idioms: You can sometimes combine “run for their money” with other idioms to create more vivid and expressive language.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about “run for their money” and its synonyms:
- Q: What does “run for their money” literally mean?
A: Literally, it suggests that someone is forcing another person to spend their resources (money) to achieve something. However, the idiom means to provide strong competition or a significant challenge.
- Q: Is “run for their money” formal or informal?
A: It’s generally considered to be somewhat informal, suitable for everyday conversation and writing. In very formal contexts, it’s better to use more professional synonyms like “pose a significant threat” or “offer stiff competition.”
- Q: Can I use “run for their money” in a business context?
A: Yes, it’s commonly used in business to describe a situation where a new company or product is challenging an established market leader. For example, “The new startup is running the industry giants for their money with its innovative technology.”
- Q: Are there any negative connotations to using “run for their money?”
A: Generally, no. It usually implies respect for the competition, suggesting that the challenger is worthy of attention. However, it can be used sarcastically if the challenge is perceived as weak or insignificant.
- Q: What are some common situations where you might use “run for their money?”
A: This idiom is commonly used in sports (e.g., “The underdog team is running the champions for their money.”), business (e.g., “The new product is running the market leader for its money.”), and politics (e.g., “The challenger is running the incumbent for their money.”).
- Q: Can “run for their money” be used in the past tense?
A: Yes, you can use it in the past tense. For example, “The challenger ran the incumbent for their money in the last election.”
- Q: How do I choose the best synonym for “run for their money” in a given situation?
A: Consider the context and the level of formality required. For formal settings, use phrases like “pose a significant threat” or “offer stiff competition.” For informal settings, “make it tough” or “give them a hard time” might be more appropriate.
- Q: Is it correct to say “run for his money” or “run for her money?”
A: Yes, you can use “run for his money” or “run for her money” when referring to a specific individual. For example, “She is determined to run her rival for her money in the upcoming competition.”
Conclusion
Understanding and using idiomatic expressions like “run for their money” is a key aspect of mastering the English language. By learning the various synonyms and usage rules discussed in this guide, you can enhance your communication skills and express yourself more effectively.
Whether you are speaking, writing, or simply trying to understand English better, the knowledge of these idioms and their alternatives will undoubtedly prove valuable.