run its course

Idioms and Phrases

Proceed to its logical or natural conclusion, as in The doctor said the cold would probably run its course within a week . This idiom employs course in the sense of “an onward movement in a particular path.” [Second half of 1500s]

Example Sentences

Despite Atomic Kitten's protests, the magic may have run its course.

From BBC

“I realized that the military side of the struggle had run its course,” Mr. McCann said.

From New York Times

“Sometimes tokenism has run its course. I don’t want to just be that person,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

According to her, she and Allen both agreed the series had run its course — the ratings had dwindled and Thomas, a fan favorite among younger viewers, had exited the series at the top of the eighth season.

From Los Angeles Times

So, it comes down to if Bill Carstanjen, the chief executive at Churchill Downs, believes that a penance has been paid or if, according to a recent court filing by Baffert owner Amr Zedan, Carstanjen is “pursuing a crazed vendetta at the expense of letting fair, healthy competition run its course.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• break
• cease
• close
• drop
• end
• halt
• hold
• kill
• pause
• put an end to
• quit
• stall
• stand
• stay