running interference
Clearing the path
Running interference originally comes from American football, where players block opponents to protect the ball carrier.
In everyday use, it means actively helping someone by handling obstacles, distractions, or difficult people on their behalf.
My assistant runs interference so I can focus on the actual work.
She ran interference with the in-laws while we finished setting up the surprise party.
The phrase implies stepping in to deflect trouble before it reaches the person being protected.
- mediatingFacilitating conflict resolution
- tacklingForcefully stopping an opponent
- orchestratingArranging complex elements harmoniously
- deflectingTurning from original path
- shieldingProtecting from harm
advocating · redirecting · buffering · damage control · negotiating · coordination · supporting · intercepting · smoothing · gatekeeping · front man · intervening · point person · mitigating · troubleshooting · covering for · positioning · resolving
running interferencehanging out to dry
Left vulnerable and unsupported
selling out · throwing to the wolves · exposing · betraying · sabotaging
running interferencestepping aside
Removing oneself from position
standing back · washing one's hands of · looking the other way · turning a blind eye · non-intervention
running interferencestepping aside
Removing oneself from position
runner, runners, interfere, interferes, interfered, interfering, interferer, interference