Meaning of run for one's money | Babel Free

Definitions

1. A difficult challenge for the person indicated, especially one involving a competitive situation.
   idiomatic
2. A reasonable opportunity to succeed, perform acceptably, or escape harm, especially in a difficult situation.
   dated, idiomatic

Equivalents

Examples

“Since the beginning of the world all men have hunted me like a wolf—kings and sages, and poets and lawgivers, all the churches, and all the philosophies. But I have never been caught yet, and the skies will fall in the time I turn to bay. I have given them a good run for their money, and I will now.”

“"If your competitor regards you as a menace to his pocketbook, he can give you a nice little run for your money and delay you indefinitely."”

“After beating Bush in New Hampshire, McCain gave him a two month run for his money. Bush had to prove he wasn't just a famous name.”

“Zoe followed him out, and saw he was halfway down the street, running so fast he would give the Olympic-gold-winning sprinters a run for their money.”

“He appealed and, by some arrangement or other, got leave to state his case personally to the Court of Revision. Said, I believe, that he did not much trust lawyers, but that if the sahibs would give him a hearing, as man to man, he might have a run for his money.”

“"I say he'll get a run for his money. If there's any killing to be done, it will be in fair fight."”

CEFR level