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Hly2004 Posted 20 years ago
Vocabulary

ran rings around

Brother ran rings around the other players on the soccer team because they were a little clumsy.

(1)What's the meaning of "ran rings around"?

Does it mean "circle around someone"? If so, why did "Brother" circle around the players on his own team. (why not the opponent team) in a match.

(2)I looked it up in my dictionary, it says "outclass or outwit (someone) easily."

I wonder if this is a literal meaning or a metaphor? Could you give me an example?
  

Top answer

"Ran rings around" usually is not literal. As you found when you went to the dictionary, it has to do with someone doing something a lot better or more successfully than someone else (often an opponent or competitor). Examples: During the debates, one presidential candidate ran rings around the others.

— Nef

  • "Ran rings around" usually is not literal.
  • As you found when you went to the dictionary, it has to do with someone doing something a lot better or more successfully than someone else (often an opponent or competitor).
  • Examples: During the debates, one presidential candidate ran rings around the others.
  • ) That store was so successful that it ran rings around its competitors.
  • )
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2 Answers
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"Ran rings around" usually is not literal. As you found when you went to the dictionary, it has to do with someone doing something a lot better or more successfully than someone else (often an opponent or competitor).

Examples: During the debates, one presidential candidate ran rings around the others. (Debated a lot better than the others.)

That store was so successful that it r
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