Welcome to our adventurous collection of English walking and running idioms!
In this list, we explore a variety of expressions with ‘walk’ and ‘run’ that capture the essence of movement on foot, from brisk walks to speedy sprints.
And of course, because these are idioms – sayings with non-literal meanings – some of them don’t relate to the action of running or walking at all. It’s all part of the fun of the English language.
Walking idioms
Walk (a mile) in someone’s shoes
Our list of walking idioms begins with a great life lesson, sometimes expanded to a full proverb: Don’t judge someone until you have walked a mile in their shoes.
To walk in someone’s shoes means to imagine yourself in their situation and try to see things from their perspective.
“Before passing judgment, you should walk in someone else’s shoes and see the challenges they face.”
“I know you don’t really get on with Tracy, but try walking a mile in her shoes before you act too harshly.”
You can use this walking idiom with or without ‘a mile’ in it.
This is very similar to the expression put yourself in someone’s shoes. You can discover more clothing and shoe idioms here.
Take a hike
A hike is a strenuous walk taken through the countryside or a hilly, mountainous area.
However, in this case, when you tell someone to take a hike you are telling them to go away or leave. It’s a rude way of dismissing someone.
“I’ve had enough of you, why don’t you just take a hike and give us all a break?”
Walk on eggshells
Sometimes you need to be cautious in your actions or words in order to avoid upsetting someone. This walk idiom likens this situation to having to tread carefully while walking on eggshells, which are very delicate and easy to break.
“Ever since the breakup, I’ve been walking on eggshells around them, afraid to say the wrong thing.”
A variation is treading on eggshells, meaning exactly the same thing.
Walk the talk
Simply put, someone who walks the talk puts their words into action. This talking idiom describes someone who acts in accordance with their beliefs – the opposite of a hypocrite who says one thing but does another.
“It’s easy to make promises, but it’s important to walk the talk and follow through on what you say.”
Tread/step on someone’s toes
To tread or step on someone’s toes means to upset or offend someone by interfering with something that is their responsibility.
“I’d be happy to help organize the party, but I don’t want to tread on anyone’s toes.”
“Joan thought Peter was stepping on her toes by contacting the client directly.”
This is one of many idioms with body parts that can be fun to use.
Walk of life
Here’s another of our walk idioms that isn’t about foot movements! A walk of life refers to a person’s social status, profession, or background.
We often refer to people from different walks of life or all walks of life, meaning people with varied jobs, tastes, hobbies, beliefs, nationalities, finances, and more.
“We all come from different walks of life, but that doesn’t mean we can’t work together and learn from each other.”
“It’s not that I don’t like Simon, he’s just from a different walk of life so we don’t have much in common.”
“As a company, we are careful to employ people from all walks of life.”
Explore some more idioms about life and how we all experience it differently.
Walk the extra mile
It’s important to always try your best, and sometimes that means making additional effort or going beyond what is expected. It may mean walking the extra (figurative) mile!
“If you want to succeed in this industry, you need to be willing to walk the extra mile and exceed expectations.”
You’ll often hear people say go the extra mile to mean the same thing.
A walk in the park
There are plenty of ways to describe a task or activity as easy or uncomplicated, and a walk in the park is one of them.
“Compared to my previous job, this new project is a walk in the park.”
Check out some more easy idioms here.
Walk a tightrope
A tightrope is a rope or wire tied tightly between two points. While the wire is suspended high above the ground, an acrobat walks along it – a feat that requires great balancing skills.
As one of our many walking idioms, to walk a tightrope is not about a circus act but about having to navigate a difficult situation that requires balance and careful decisions.
“Managing a team with diverse opinions can feel like walking a tightrope. No matter what I decide, somebody will disagree.”
Walking an actual tightrope is not just for fun but a part of some people’s culture.
Walk the line
When you’re told to walk the line you need to behave in a socially acceptable way, obey rules and regulations, and do what is expected of you.
“I just need to walk the line until I graduate, then I’m going to take a year out to have some fun.”
Walk a fine/thin line
Similar to walking a tightrope, walking a fine or thin line requires you to find the right balance between two positions, states, or sides.
“As a teacher, I have to walk a fine line between being strict and being approachable to create a positive learning environment.”
“He just about manages to walk a fine line between being funny and offensive.”
Note that some people may use ‘walk the line’ with this meaning, so it’s important to check the context.
Walk on air
Have you ever been so happy it made you feel light and free, maybe even like you could fly? That’s what walking on air is all about. This is a fun happiness idiom to express your elation.
“When I received the scholarship I felt like I was walking on air. It was a dream come true.”
Running idioms
Run the show
The second part of our list of walking and running idioms will now focus on the act of running.
However, the first of our run idioms isn’t actually about moving quickly on foot. To run the show is about being in control or in charge of a situation or event.
“Our CEO is a dynamic leader who knows how to run the show and make things happen.”
Run wild
This action idiom is something that you might associate with children, but it could apply to anyone.
To run wild is to behave in an unrestrained manner – and this is one of our running idioms that often does actually involve running!
“The children loved running wild in the park, laughing and playing without any boundaries.”
That said, you can also use it to describe something that has been left to grow in an uncontrolled way:
“My granddad can’t tend to his garden anymore, so the weeds have run wild.”
Front runner
In a race, contest, or other competitive process, the front runner is the person who is leading the way and expected to win.
“My horse was the front runner right until the last corner.”
This is often used as a sports idiom, but it applies to other situations too.
Run around in circles
To run around in circles is to engage in repetitive or unproductive actions without making progress. It’s just as if you were literally running around in circles and achieving nothing, except becoming tired.
“I’ve been running in circles all days trying to get things checked off my to-do list!”
Run circles/rings around someone
This sounds similar to the running idiom above, but its meaning is quite different.
When you run circles or rings around someone, you prove yourself superior to them, especially by beating them decisively in a competition.
“We didn’t stand a chance. The other team were running rings around us from the beginning.”
It’s a marathon, not a sprint
Here’s another running idiom that doubles up as a motivational saying.
Telling someone it’s a marathon, not a sprint, reminds them to focus on long-term goals and make steady progress rather than racing to achieve short-term wins. It’s also a good form of encouragement when someone experiences a setback.
“I know it’s disappointing you weren’t selected for the team this semester, but remember, it’s a marathon, not a sprint.”
Run in the same circles
Here we are referring to social circles, or groups of people you associate with. To run in the same circles as someone means to associate with the same kinds of people as they do, or to visit the same kinds of places.
“I’m surprised we’ve never met before, seeing as we run in the same circles.”
You could, equally, use run in different circles to emphasize that you don’t have anything in common with someone, in terms of social groups.
Run out of steam
Another run idiom that is not about running is to run out of steam. This happens when you lose energy or motivation to continue with a task or activity.
“I was full of enthusiasm at the beginning of the project, but now I’ve run out of steam. I need a break.”
Run the gauntlet
When you have to face or get through a series of difficult challenges or obstacles, you could say you have to run the gauntlet.
“Starting a new business can feel like running the gauntlet, with countless hurdles to overcome.”
This term has a pretty interesting origin.
Give someone a run for their money
When you give someone a run for their money in a competition, you compete at a similar level to them and make them work hard for their victory. You present a good challenge, even if you ultimately lose to them.
“John is a talented guitarist, but when Lisa played her solo, she gave him a run for his money.”
“Well done for staying focused, team. They certainly gave us a run for our money!”
Run in the family
There are plenty of family-related idioms to take a look at, but this one fits in well with the theme of running idioms.
When a certain characteristic or trait is common among family members, you can say that it runs in the family.
“Artistic talent runs in the family; both of their parents are successful painters.”
Run in the blood or in your blood is another idiom with the same meaning.
Run a tight ship
When you maintain strict discipline and control over a situation or organization you run a tight ship.
“As the team leader, Sarah runs a tight ship. Everyone knows their roles and responsibilities.”
Run like the wind
Wind idioms often describe things moving fast, and this one has a simple meaning. To run like the wind is to move on foot at a very high speed, as fast as you can.
“When she saw the finish line, she ran like the wind, leaving her competitors far behind.”
We hope this compilation of English idioms about running and walking has sparked your curiosity and enriched your language repertoire.
Feel free to leave a comment below if you can think of any other walk or run idioms that we should include here, or if you need any further help understanding these expressions.
