in the running
Among the contenders
In the running describes someone or something still considered a viable contender—not yet eliminated from competition or consideration.
The phrase comes from horse racing, where a horse that remains competitive is literally still running.
Three candidates are still in the running for the position.
The opposite, out of the running, means no longer a possibility.
- finalistLast-round participant
- long shotUnlikely to succeed
- in with a chanceHaving realistic odds
- competitorOne striving against others
- strivingEarnest sustained endeavor
attempting · up for grabs · horse race · candidate · eligibility · close call · qualification · winner · endeavoring · shortlisted · nominee · advancing · champion · challenger · participant · entrant · in contention · ranking
- competitioncompete, competitor, contender, winner, sports
- Competition idiomslevel playing field, down to the wire, neck and neck, win hands down, come from behind
- racing termsbackstretch, checkered flag, daily double, dead heat, exacta
in the runningout of the running
No longer competing
eliminated · disqualified · knocked out · withdrawn · ruled out
in the runningout of the question
Completely impossible to consider
off the table · ruled out · dead in the water · out of the picture · written off
in the runningout of the running
No longer competing
dead in the water · no chance · hopeless · finished · done for
running, runner, runners, runny, runnable, rerun, reruns, outrun, outrunning