run of the mill

USAGE SUMMARY

"run of the mill" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an expression used to describe something that is ordinary, average, or regular, often in a negative way. For example: "The movie was just your run of the mill rom-com, with nothing particularly special about it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Reference

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

They weren't your run-of-the mill flags, either.

The New York Times

Just your run-of-the mill Moravian village, then – but Kvitova is no run-of-the-mill tennis player.

The Guardian - Sport

"Not the run-of-the mill left and right stuff that we're all accustomed to.

Huffington Post

Others were run-of-the-mill.

The New York Times

"My dreams are run-of-the-mill".

The New York Times - Books

The morning seemed like a run-of-the-mill weekday.

The New York Times

But that was run-of-the-mill, childhood hero worship.

The New York Times - Sports

This is not run-of-the-mill fare.

The New York Times

"Nobody has reported run-of-the-mill sales".

The New York Times - Sports

And not just run-of-the-mill actors.

The New York Times

That's just normal, run-of-the-mill partisan antipathy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Omit the hyphens when the phrase follows a linking verb, though many modern style guides allow keeping them for consistency.

Common error

Do not pair this phrase with other adjectives that mean the same thing, such as "an ordinary run-of-the-mill day". This creates a tautology that weakens your prose. Choose one or the other for maximum impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "run of the mill" functions as a compound adjective or an idiomatic predicative expression. According to Ludwig, it is used to characterize something as ordinary or lacking special features. Structurally, it is often hyphenated when appearing before the noun it modifies, which is a standard rule for compound modifiers in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Arts & Entertainment

15%

Business

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Academia

2%

Legal

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "run of the mill" is a quintessential English idiom that has stood the test of time, moving from industrial origins to become a staple of modern journalism. Ludwig AI indicates that it is most effective when used to describe things that are average, standard or predictably unexciting. While it is widely accepted as correct in both British and American English, writers should be mindful of the hyphenation rules—using "run-of-the-mill" when it precedes a noun—to maintain grammatical precision. It remains a powerful tool for contrast, allowing authors to establish a sense of normalcy before introducing something truly extraordinary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

garden-variety

Another idiomatic expression that emphasizes something is very common or ordinary

commonplace

Focuses on the fact that something happens or is found everywhere

unremarkable

Specifically denotes a lack of features that deserve notice

bog-standard

A more informal, predominantly British term for something basic

mediocre

Carries a stronger negative connotation of being only of moderate quality

humdrum

Suggests a lack of excitement or variety, often implying boredom

standard

A more neutral term for something that meets a basic level without exceeding it

prosaic

A more literary term for something lacking poetic beauty or being dull

vanilla

Slang used to describe something that is plain or lacks extra features

boilerplate

Used specifically for standard text or designs that are reused without change

FAQs

How do I use "run of the mill" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe anything that is average, such as "It was just a "run-of-the-mill" Tuesday until the news broke."

What is a more formal synonym for "run of the mill"?

In formal or academic writing, you might prefer terms like "unremarkable", "commonplace" or "pedestrian".

Is "run of the mill" insulting?

It is generally neutral but often carries a slight negative undertone, implying that something is boring or lacks quality compared to being "exceptional".

Should I hyphenate "run of the mill"?

Yes, when it is used as an adjective before a noun (e.g., "a "run-of-the-mill performance""), hyphens are standard.