a quick rundown

USAGE SUMMARY

"a quick rundown" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It usually means a brief summary or overview of something. Example: Before diving into the details, let me give you a quick rundown of our company's current financial situation.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Here's a quick rundown of the latest scandals.

The New York Times

Here's a quick rundown of what to expect.

The Guardian - Tech

Here's a quick rundown: Colorado: This is perhaps the closest of all the battleground states.

The New Yorker

To help simplify the process, you'll first need a quick rundown of exactly what Medicare entails.

The New York Times - Health

A quick rundown of the list reveals all my gross violations: 1.

The New Yorker

Here's a quick rundown of what happened at the PPV in St Louis, Missouri last night.

Independent

Here's a quick rundown of the important bits you should know about.

The Guardian - Tech

Here is a quick rundown of the contenders and their title chances.

The New York Times - Sports

In a quick rundown, problems are identified, goals set; in the evening, work is checked into a master build.

The New Yorker

I often do a quick rundown of logistics, reminding everyone who has to be where and when.

The New York Times

Leaders have distinctive personalities as leaders.... A. You want me to give you a quick rundown of myself?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Tailor the level of detail in your "quick rundown" to your audience's existing knowledge of the subject.

Common error

Avoid turning a "quick rundown" into a lengthy explanation. If detailed information is needed, consider providing it separately or linking to a more comprehensive resource.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a quick rundown" functions as a noun phrase, often used to introduce or promise a brief summary or overview of a particular topic. As shown in Ludwig, the phrase typically sets the stage for concisely presenting key information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a quick rundown" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to introduce a brief summary or overview. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent use across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While suitable for neutral to slightly informal situations, more formal alternatives may be preferred in certain settings. When writing, ensure that the information following the phrase is indeed concise and tailored to the audience's knowledge level. Avoiding excessive detail is crucial to maintaining the integrity of the "quick rundown".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a brief summary

Focuses on the summarization aspect while maintaining brevity.

a short overview

Emphasizes providing a general view concisely.

a concise explanation

Highlights clarity and brevity in the explanation.

a rapid summary

Similar to "a quick rundown" but uses "rapid" to stress speed.

a swift briefing

Replaces 'rundown' with 'briefing', implying a formal context.

a fast recap

More informal, using 'recap' as a synonym for rundown.

a speedy overview

Emphasizes the speed with which the overview is presented.

a thumbnail sketch

Figurative language for something brief and simple.

the highlights

Focuses on the most important or interesting parts.

the essentials

Concentrates on the fundamental aspects of the topic.

FAQs

What does "a quick rundown" mean?

The phrase "a quick rundown" means a brief summary or overview of a topic, situation, or event. It implies providing essential information concisely.

How can I use "a quick rundown" in a sentence?

You can use "a quick rundown" to introduce a summary. For example, "Here's "a quick summary" of the main points we discussed." or "Let me give you "a short overview" of the project."

What are some alternatives to "a quick rundown"?

Alternatives include "a brief summary", "a concise explanation", or "the highlights" depending on the context.

Is "a quick rundown" appropriate for formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "a quick rundown" leans towards a neutral to slightly informal tone. For highly formal contexts, consider more formal alternatives like "a concise summary" or "a brief overview".