English Reference
Idiom idiom

take up the running


To proceed at full speed.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

“The project is ready, so we can take up the running now.”

CONTEXTUAL

“After the initial planning phase ended, the team was finally able to take up the running on the new project.”

COMPLEX

“Once the legal obstacles were cleared, the company could finally take up the running and accelerate their expansion into the international market.”


Originally used of racehorses.


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    be taken ill

    To become ill.

  2. 02

    cross to take up

    Alternative form of cross to bear.

  3. 03

    forget to take one's medication this morning

    To be annoyed or irritable, or to behave in an ill-mannered way, particularly in the morning.

  4. 04

    get taken in

    To be fooled; to fall for.

  5. 05

    give and take

    A process of compromise or accommodation.

  6. 06

    give someone an inch and someone will take a mile

    Alternative form of give them an inch and they'll take a mile.

  7. 07

    have one's name taken

    To receive a yellow card.

  8. 08

    hit the ground running

    To begin an activity immediately and with full commitment.

Last updated August 10, 2026