runs into the ground
Wears out entirely
To run something into the ground is to use, repeat, or pursue it to exhaustion—beyond the point of usefulness or enjoyment.
A manager runs a business into the ground through mismanagement.
Someone runs a joke into the ground by telling it too often.
The image suggests driving something so hard it wears out completely.
The phrase can also mean to criticize harshly or defeat thoroughly: The critics ran the film into the ground.
- misuseImproper application
- depletionReduction of supply
- use upConsume until gone
- breakdownFailure or decomposition
- wear and tearGradual damage from use
repetition · beat a dead horse · overkill · ruin · fatigue · exhaustion · burnout · burn the candle · draining · shortsightedness · negligence · collapse · monotony · wastefulness · redundancy · overextension · downfall · carelessness
runs into the groundtakes care of
Attends to responsibilities
looks after · maintains · preserves · nurtures · safeguards
runs into the groundbuilds up
Accumulates gradually
grows · develops · cultivates · turns around · revitalizes
running, runner, runners, ground, grounds, grounded, grounding, groundless, groundwork