Run it to earth

Posted by Smokey Stover on June 19, 2007

In Reply to: Run it to earth posted by RRC on June 19, 2007

: : : What does "run it to earth" mean? What is its origin?

: : I haven't heard that. Is it like "run to ground." Drive an animal into its burrow. From Merriam-Webster:

: : to ground
: : 1 : into a burrow - The fox went to ground.
: : 2 : into hiding - Might need to make a run for it and go to ground someplace. -- Edward Hoagland.

: Need more context. Some people also use "earth" and "ground" in the electrical sense so you could say "Run the blue wire to earth" or "to ground".

Usually means "find it, track it down." Example (mine): "I've been hearing a rumor that she's got a lover. Can you find out where it started?" "Don't worry I'll run it to earth."
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• Run it to earth Victoria S Dennis 19/June/07