ENGLISH
REFERENCE

dry run

idiom
Meaning

A practice or rehearsal; especially, one that goes through all the motions of a physical process but without the raw material or workpiece present.


Origin

first recorded 20th c. disputed origin

From dry (“impotent; harmless”) + run. First attested in print in 1941, but apparently much older in spoken English.

Examples
SIMPLE

We did a dry run before the big presentation.

CONTEXTUAL

The theater group did a dry run of the play without costumes or lights.

COMPLEX

Engineers conducted a final dry run of the launch sequence, checking every system without fuel in the tanks.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    break into a run

    To start running.

  2. 02

    common run

    Ordinary persons, things, or events.

  3. 03

    dry behind the ears

    Seasoned or experienced; mature, especially with respect to judgment.

  4. 04

    dry eye

    An eye which is not crying, i.e. someone emotionally unmoved.

  5. 05

    Dry January

    A popular health challenge where a person abstains from alcohol for the entire month of January.

  6. 06

    dry one's eyes

    To cease crying.

  7. 07

    dry out

    To (cause to) sober up; to cease to be drunk; to quit using drugs or alcohol.

  8. 08

    dry up and blow away

    To go away; to disappear.

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