run up the score
Extend the margin
To run up the score is to keep scoring points in a competition even after victory is assured, often seen as unsportsmanlike: They ran up the score against the weaker team.
The phrase extends beyond sports to mean pressing an advantage beyond necessity or piling on when someone is already defeated.
- unsportsmanlikeContrary to athletic ethics
- rack upAccumulate in quantity
- fair playHonorable conduct in games
- bad formBreach of etiquette
- leadDense metal, symbol Pb
rout · dominance · mercy · code of conduct · morale · exploitation · empty calories · blowout · mercy rule · humility · aggression · overkill · gamesmanship · frustration · scoreboard · honor · respect · gap
run up the scoreshow mercy
Treat with leniency
call off the dogs · take it easy · let up · back off · ease up
run up the scoremilk the clock
Deliberately consume remaining time
run out the clock · stall · cruise · play for time · play it safe
score, runs, running, runner, runners, upper, upward, upwards, scores