setting a hare running

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'setting a hare running' is correct in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or action that triggers a reaction or causes a problem. For example, "The mayor's decision to reduce public transportation funding is setting a hare running, with protesters camping outside the city hall."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

He could possibly have said: "I am not going to tell you now the make-up of my cabinet", but that would have set a hare running for the whole of the election campaign.

The Guardian

"I don't want to start a hare running on this, other than we are going to take a closer look".

BBC

And suddenly a hare ran across the road.

The New York Times - Books

But a hare ran across our path and an owl swooped down a few feet away.

The Guardian - Travel

Kidd set the hare running 18 months ago with the idea of a literature prize and its viability has always been about finding a willing sponsor.

The Guardian - Books

A campaign group was set up called The Hares, after the Tory peer Lord Trefgarne said that changing the rules on succession to the crown would "set the hare running" on whether all inherited titles should be gender-neutral.

Independent

The Fifa president set one hare running by saying on Monday it was "fairly urgent" to get on with the bidding process for the 2026 World Cup, for which the United States is the favourite.

The Guardian - Sport

The court action is the first to surface since JJB executives set the hare running in 2009, calling in the Office of Fair Trading – in exchange for immunity – to investigate the possibility that it had fixed prices with rival Sports Direct, the sportswear firm run by Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley, when Ronnie was at the helm.

The Guardian - Business

Having set the windfall tax hare running, a retreat now would cost Labour any chance of winning the next election, and deservedly so.

The Guardian - Business

The movie sets two hares running.

The Guardian

Whereupon the chair of the BBC Trust appears on Marr and refuses to rule anything out, or in, which sets the hares running again.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "setting a hare running" when you want to indicate that an action or statement has initiated a series of unintended or controversial consequences. It's most effective when the subsequent events are somewhat unpredictable.

Common error

Avoid using "setting a hare running" for minor or insignificant consequences. This idiom is best suited for situations where the repercussions are substantial and potentially problematic.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "setting a hare running" is as part of a verb phrase, often used to describe an action that initiates a chain of subsequent events. Ludwig AI validates this usage, confirming its correctness and contextual application.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The idiom "setting a hare running" is a phrase used to describe the act of initiating a series of events, often unforeseen or potentially problematic. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct. While relatively rare, the expression is found across various sources including news media, wiki articles and scientific publications. Its use signifies that an initial action has triggered a chain reaction, highlighting the ripple effect of that event. When writing, remember that this idiom is best employed when the repercussions are substantial and possibly controversial, to convey unintended and possibly problematic outcomes of actions or statements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

trigger a response

Emphasizes causing a reaction.

touch off a reaction

Highlights the triggering of a response or chain of events.

open a can of worms

Suggests uncovering hidden problems or complications.

stir up a hornet's nest

More intense, implying a strong negative reaction.

start the ball rolling

Focuses on initiating an activity or process.

spark a debate

Specifically refers to initiating a discussion or argument.

set the stage

Implies preparing for a future event or outcome.

prompt an inquiry

Suggests causing an investigation or formal questioning.

kick-start something

Emphasizes providing initial momentum.

raise an issue

Focuses on bringing something to attention.

FAQs

How can I use "setting a hare running" in a sentence?

You can use "setting a hare running" to describe an action or statement that inadvertently causes a series of unexpected events or consequences. For instance, "The leaked document set a hare running among investors".

What does "setting a hare running" mean?

The idiom "setting a hare running" means initiating a series of events, often unforeseen or problematic, as a result of a particular action or statement. It implies that the initial action has sparked a chain reaction.

What are some alternatives to "setting a hare running"?

You could use phrases like "trigger a response", "open a can of worms", or "stir up a hornet's nest", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "setting a hare running" a formal or informal expression?

"Setting a hare running" is considered a somewhat formal idiom but can be appropriate in both neutral and professional contexts, particularly when discussing politics, business or situations with potentially complex outcomes.