got run down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "got run down" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something has been exhausted, worn out, or physically harmed, often due to an accident or neglect. Example: "After working long hours without a break, I really felt like I got run down and needed some rest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

U.S. anchor Angelo Taylor got run down in the homestretch by Bahamas anchor Ramon Miller, who finished Friday night's final in a national-record time of 2 minutes, 56.72 seconds.

The Washington Post

The Tour changes in a reactive way: dope controls are one example, so too the creation of a system to keep non-essential vehicles away from the actual race route after a spate of deaths as spectators got run down.

The Guardian - Sport

It also said that while talking about the Boston marathon bombing in 2013, O'Reilly said: "I was in a situation one time, in a war zone in Argentina, in the Falklands, where my photographer got run down and then hit his head and was bleeding from the ear on the concrete.

The Guardian

"I wasn't sleeping and I got run down and picked up a virus and was in bed for three or four days.

BBC

He tried to escape and got run down by Steven Burke before the line, but it was a good example of the courage he has got to go with his intelligence - that is what he is like.

BBC

A few weeks later Thelma got run down and bit again.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

"I got ran down by a Jamaican - I can't complain," Lewis-Francis said.

BBC

"Now you can be my age and walk in Times Square and not get run down.

The New York Times

Allowing herself to get run down is not a good idea.

The Guardian

If you don't invest in something for 32 years, of course it gets run down".

The New York Times

"They get run down and suffer what amounts to a fatigue hangover".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "got run down" to describe a person's state, ensure the context clarifies whether it refers to physical exhaustion, illness, or both. For example: "After the marathon, she really "got run down" and needed several days to recover."

Common error

Avoid using "got run down" in contexts where a literal interpretation (being hit by a vehicle) is possible, unless that is the intended meaning. Otherwise, choose a clearer phrase like "became exhausted" or "felt drained".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "got run down" functions primarily as a passive construction indicating a state of depletion or exhaustion. Ludwig AI identifies this as a correct and usable English phrase. It describes a condition resulting from being overworked, stressed, or otherwise depleted.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Wiki

14%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "got run down" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe feeling exhausted or depleted. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to convey a state of being overwhelmed either physically, mentally, or emotionally. The phrase is best suited for neutral to informal contexts, and while considered acceptable in news and media, more formal alternatives might be preferable in academic or scientific writing. When employing this phrase, ensure the surrounding context clarifies the specific type of exhaustion you're describing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

became exhausted

Focuses on the state of being tired rather than a direct cause.

was worn out

Highlights the feeling of being depleted, whether physically or mentally.

felt drained

Emphasizes a loss of energy and vitality.

became depleted

Emphasizes a reduction in resources or energy.

succumbed to fatigue

More formal way to indicate a yielding to tiredness.

overwhelmed by exhaustion

Highlights the intensity of tiredness.

reached the end of one's rope

Idiomatic expression indicating a limit of endurance.

suffered burnout

Refers to a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged or excessive stress.

collapsed from weariness

Implies a sudden loss of strength due to exhaustion.

lost steam

An idiomatic way to say that someone has lost energy or enthusiasm.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone "got run down"?

To say someone "got run down" means they became exhausted, overwhelmed, or ill, often due to overwork or stress. It implies a depletion of physical or mental resources.

What can I say instead of "got run down" when referring to physical exhaustion?

You can use alternatives like "became exhausted", "felt drained", or "was worn out" to describe physical tiredness.

Is "got run down" appropriate in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "got run down" is relatively informal. In formal writing, consider using alternatives like "became exhausted" or "experienced depletion" for a more professional tone.

How is "got run down" different from "suffered burnout"?

"Got run down" typically refers to a temporary state of exhaustion or illness, while "suffered burnout" implies a more severe and prolonged state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion resulting from chronic workplace stress.