run-off

A run-off will be held to decide the winner of the election.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A final race or election: "run-off" refers to a second competition or election held to decide a winner after an initial tie or when no candidate has achieved the required majority.
   • Liquid flowing off: In environmental or agricultural contexts, "run-off" is water (or other liquids) that flows over the ground surface, often carrying pollutants, rather than being absorbed into the soil.

Usage Examples

• Noun (election/competition):

  • The two candidates tied in the primary, so a run-off will be held next month. (A decisive second election to break the tie.)
  • After the first race ended in a draw, the athletes prepared for a run-off. (A second race to determine the winner.)

• Noun (liquid):

  • Heavy rain caused chemical run-off from the farm into the river. (Polluted water flowing over the land surface.)
  • The city installed drains to manage stormwater run-off. (Excess water that runs off streets and roofs.)

Advanced Usage

• "to force a run-off": to create a situation requiring a second vote or competition.

  • The third-party candidate forced a run-off by splitting the vote. (The candidate prevented an outright majority, necessitating a second election.)

• "agricultural run-off": a specific type of liquid run-off containing fertilizers, pesticides, or animal waste from farms.

  • Agricultural run-off is a major cause of algae blooms in lakes. (Polluted water from farmland entering natural water bodies.)

Variants and Related Words

• Runoff (n): a common spelling variant of "run-off" (hyphenation is optional in many contexts).

  • The runoff from the melting snow flooded the fields. (Water flowing off the land.)

• Run off (phrasal verb): to leave quickly or to drain away.

  • The children ran off when they saw the teacher. (To leave hurriedly.)
  • The water will run off the roof into the gutter. (To flow away from a surface.)

Synonyms

• Decider: a final contest to determine a winner (for elections or competitions).
• Surface flow: water that moves across the ground (for liquid run-off).
• Second ballot: a repeated vote in an election.

Related Idioms

• Run off at the mouth: to talk excessively or indiscreetly (unrelated to the noun "run-off" but shares the verb form).
  • He always runs off at the mouth during meetings. (He talks too much without thinking.)

Phrasal Verbs

• Run off with: to steal something or leave secretly with someone.

  • The thief ran off with the jewellery. (Stole and escaped with the items.)

• Run off (copies): to produce multiple copies quickly.

  • Can you run off 20 copies of this document? (Print or duplicate them rapidly.)