Run somebody/something to earth/ground
verb
To find or catch someone or something after a difficult search.
After a long investigation, the detectives finally ran the thief to ground.

Often appears as...
- run a criminal to ground
- run an evidence to ground
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
To find or catch someone or something after a difficult search.
After a long investigation, the detectives finally ran the thief to ground.

Often appears as...
- run a criminal to ground
- run an evidence to ground
Usage tips
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 1

Persistence Implied
The phrase suggests a long, persistent search before success.

The journalist ran the story to earth after months of investigation.
Metaphorical Hunt
Metaphorically compares searching for someone or something to hunting.

They ran the missing artifact to ground in an old warehouse.
Difficult Endeavor
The phrase often indicates a challenging task that requires effort.

The team ran the software bug to ground after weeks of testing.
Persistence Implied
The phrase suggests a long, persistent search before success.

The journalist ran the story to earth after months of investigation.
Metaphorical Hunt
Metaphorically compares searching for someone or something to hunting.

They ran the missing artifact to ground in an old warehouse.
Difficult Endeavor
The phrase often indicates a challenging task that requires effort.

The team ran the software bug to ground after weeks of testing.
Persistence Implied
The phrase suggests a long, persistent search before success.

The journalist ran the story to earth after months of investigation.
Metaphorical Hunt
Metaphorically compares searching for someone or something to hunting.

They ran the missing artifact to ground in an old warehouse.
Difficult Endeavor
The phrase often indicates a challenging task that requires effort.

The team ran the software bug to ground after weeks of testing.
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