run feral

USAGE SUMMARY

'run feral' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an animal or person being unrestrained and returning to a more natural or primitive state. For example, you could say, "The escaped monkeys ran feral in the city streets, creating chaos."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In Reed's world, babies sometimes grow to giant size and attack New York, pet monkeys write best sellers ("The little bastard sent it off to an agent without even telling me it was done") and Girl Scouts run feral in the woods.

The New York Times - Books

Consequently the ponies were left to run feral, mostly ignored and sometimes shot at by locals.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

There I spent my childhood, mud-caked and running feral.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The dogs, for starters, which are running feral since the Sudden Departure.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

In the first few weeks of living there, as our son reveled in digging and redigging the garden and running feral around the yard, Dan and I discovered that we needed to get into fixer-upper gear immediately.

The New York Times

As the sun dropped on our last evening, I looked at the children running feral, women gutting fish, and men chopping wood and realised how, apart from the manmade fibres and wineboxes, we fitted in to a continuum hardly changed since prehistoric times.

The Guardian - Travel

And this mother's first love is her children, who she captured running feral and in sometimes quite obviously set up poses, other times honest and innocent and serene.

Huffington Post

He recalls the shootings and lootings of the '80s, the buses that barely ran, the feral children.

The New York Times

There is much that is painfully familiar in The A Word – Joe being isolated from his own birthday party, not being invited to other children's partes, getting funny looks from parents who think he is spoilt and rude, tantrums and frothing furies, running away, feral violence, family and friends asking about a cure.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The sheer physicality of the 25-year-old's feats, which include running down feral dogs, pigs and wrasslin' crocodiles as well as plucking birds from the sky are somewhat confounding, especially when combined with his natural flamboyance and love of Michael Jackson (he practises moonwalking while staking out his prey).

Vice

The aisles at the supermarket were wide open spaces, inviting my children to run free, be feral, and I followed them around apologizing and cleaning up the damage they left in their wake.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "run feral" to vividly describe situations where individuals or animals abandon civilized behavior and act in an unrestrained, wild manner. This phrase is particularly effective when emphasizing a departure from societal norms or domesticity.

Common error

Avoid using "run feral" in contexts that simply describe energetic play or enthusiasm. The phrase carries a connotation of wildness, lack of control and potentially destructive behavior; ensure the context aligns with this meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "run feral" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe the action of behaving in an uncontrolled, wild, or undomesticated manner. As Ludwig AI confirms, it aptly captures a state of unrestrained behavior, like children "running feral" in a garden.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "run feral" vividly describes uncontrolled and wild behavior, typically used in informal contexts like news articles and descriptive narratives. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature, emphasizing its ability to depict a departure from civilized norms. While it's grammatically sound, its specific connotation should be carefully considered to avoid misapplication. Alternative phrases like ""go wild"" or ""run amok"" can offer similar descriptive power depending on the desired nuance. When writing, remember that using "run feral" effectively evokes imagery of unrestrained action and abandonment of conventional behavior.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

run amok

Describes chaotic and destructive behavior; often implies a lack of direction or purpose.

go wild

Implies a sudden loss of control and engagement in unrestrained behavior; broader application.

behave wildly

A general term indicating unrestrained and often chaotic behavior.

become unruly

Focuses on a lack of discipline and resistance to control; often used in formal contexts.

act out

Indicates misbehavior or rebellion, particularly in response to stress or authority.

become uncontrollable

Focuses on the inability to manage or restrain someone or something.

lose control

Emphasizes the inability to manage one's actions or emotions.

escape civilization

Highlights a complete detachment from societal norms and expectations.

revert to savagery

Suggests a return to a primitive or uncivilized state; strong negative connotation.

live in the wild

Indicates existence free from human intervention or control. This alternative phrase has a literal meaning.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone "runs feral"?

To say someone "runs feral" means they are behaving in an uncontrolled, wild, and often destructive manner, abandoning typical civilized behavior.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "run feral"?

It's appropriate when describing a situation where individuals or animals are acting in a wild and unrestrained way, often deviating from societal norms or expectations.

What are some alternatives to saying "run feral"?

You can use alternatives like "go wild", "run amok", or "become unruly" depending on the context.

Is "run feral" formal or informal language?

"Run feral" is generally considered informal language, best suited for descriptive narratives or casual conversation rather than formal or academic writing.