run in

To use a new machine gently at first so its moving parts fit together without damage.

• You must run in the engine first.
• We ran the new machine in at low speed.
• How long does it take to run it in?

How to use it: run something in (Drive carefully while you run the engine in.)

Similar words: break in

Common phrases: run in an engine, run something in

To catch someone and take them into police custody.

• The police will run him in.
• They finally ran in the missing suspect.
• Two men were run in after the robbery.

How to use it: run someone in (The police ran him in for stealing a bicycle.)

Similar words: arrest, take in

Opposites: release

Common phrases: run someone in, run in a suspect

To score points in rugby by running with the ball and putting it down beyond the opposing goal line.

• She can run in a try from here.
• Our team ran in four tries yesterday.
• He ran in the winning try near the end.

How to use it: run in a try (The winger ran in a try just before halftime.)

Similar words: score

Common phrases: run in a try, run in three tries

To begin using a new system or routine slowly so people can get used to it.

• We need time to run in the new system.
• They ran the revised schedule in gradually.
• Can we run it in before the busy season?

How to use it: run something in (We will run the new routine in over several weeks.)

Similar words: phase in, introduce gradually

Common phrases: run in a system, run in a routine

To put text on the same line as nearby text instead of starting a new line or paragraph.

• Run in the heading to save space.
• We ran the labels in with the text.
• Should I run these titles in?

How to use it: run something in (The editor ran the heading in with the opening sentence.)

Common phrases: run in a heading, run something in

To move printed text or other material into empty space in a page layout.

• Run in the text to fill this space.
• The compositor ran the remaining material in.
• Can we run some type in here?

How to use it: run something in (The printer ran the text in to fill the gap.)

Common phrases: run in the text, run in printed matter

Used gently enough for new moving parts to fit together properly.

• The engine is now run in.
• Is the new machine fully run in yet?
• It was already run in when we bought it.

Similar words: broken in

Common phrases: fully run in, run in engine

Placed on the same line as the text beside it, rather than on a separate line.

• These headings are run in.
• The short title is run in with the paragraph.
• Should the labels be run in or placed on separate lines?

Similar words: inline

Common phrases: run in headings, run in text