run its course
End on schedule
To run its course is to proceed through a natural progression until completion or resolution.
Illnesses run their course when they pass without intervention.
Relationships run their course when they end naturally.
The phrase implies patience—letting something finish on its own timeline rather than forcing an outcome: Let the fever run its course.
- expireCease to be valid
- closeNearby or to shut
- concludeEnd or infer
- ceaseTo discontinue activity
- completeLacking nothing, fully done
end · terminate · final chapter · fade · slow fade · lifecycle · maturation · run out · denouement · progression · impermanence · play out · ride it out · see it through · let it go · trajectory · natural order · time will tell
- outdatedobsolete, outdated, out of date, dated, outmoded
- washed-uphas-been, over the hill, past prime, played out, finished
run its coursecut short
End before completion
interrupted · aborted · halted · nipped in the bud · curtailed
run its coursebeginning
Initial stage of something
start · commencing · kicking off · starting out · nascent
run its courseongoing
In progress now
in progress · unresolved · continuing · dragging on · lingering
course, runs, running, runner, runners, courses, coursed, coursing, courser