run around after

verb

To spend a lot of time doing things for another person or group of people. Often used when that person could reasonably do the things for themselves.

“I have spent all morning running around after the kids.”

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Meanings

verbrun around after (third-person singular simple present runs around after, present participle running around after, simple past ran around after, past participle run around after)

present singular third person runs around after · participle present running around after · past ran around after

  1. idiomatictransitiveTo spend a lot of time doing things for another person or group of people. Often used when that person could reasonably do the things for themselves.

    I have spent all morning running around after the kids.

Cite this entry
APA

run around after. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/run%20around%20after

MLA

“run around after.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/run%20around%20after. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “run around after,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/run%20around%20after.

Source: run around after on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.