# run the gauntlet

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/run-the-gauntlet
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To undergo a series of tests or challenges.

## Examples

- You must run the gauntlet of interviews to get this job.
- The new product had to run the gauntlet of safety tests before the company could sell it to the public.
- The young politician had to run the gauntlet of aggressive questioning from the press during her first week in office.

## Origin

From a corruption of run the gauntlope, run the gantelope. More at gantlope.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.