in the running

prepositional phrase

Of a candidate: potential or likely; worthy of consideration.

“My favourite singer wasn't eliminated, so she's still in the running!”

Opposite
out of the running
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Meanings

prepositional phrase
  1. idiomaticOf a candidate: potential or likely; worthy of consideration.

    Even if I were looking for a boyfriend, I don't think he would be in the running.

  2. idiomaticOf a competitor or contestant: still eligible and able to win.

    My favourite singer wasn't eliminated, so she's still in the running!

Synonyms & antonyms

Opposite
out of the running
Also see
in the game
Cite this entry
APA

in the running. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/in%20the%20running

MLA

“in the running.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/in%20the%20running. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “in the running,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/in%20the%20running.

Source: in the running on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.