Definition

Noun: 1. A concise report or summary, especially one that reviews the main points of a situation or the current status of something. This is the most common meaning. It refers to a brief, informative overview, often given orally. 2. A reduction in the size, activity, or power of something. This meaning refers to the process of something being gradually diminished, closed, or allowed to deteriorate. 3. (Baseball) The act of tagging out a runner who is caught between bases. This is a specific sports term.

Usage and Examples

• As a summary/report:

  • "Can you give me a quick rundown of the meeting's key decisions?"
  • "The manager started the call with a rundown of this week's sales figures."
  • "Here's a brief rundown of the schedule for tomorrow's event."

• As a reduction or deterioration:

  • "The rundown of the factory led to significant job losses in the town."
  • "After years of neglect, the building fell into a state of rundown."
  • "The economic crisis caused a rundown of the country's reserves."

• In baseball:

  • "The pitcher caught the runner in a rundown between first and second base."

Advanced Usage

• The phrase "give (someone) the rundown" is a common collocation meaning to provide someone with a summary.
  • "I'll give you the rundown on the new project when you get to the office."
• When describing a place, "run-down" (with a hyphen) is an adjective meaning in poor condition due to neglect.
  • "They bought a run-down cottage and spent years renovating it." (Note: This is the adjectival form, not the noun 'rundown').

Variants and Related Words

• Run-down (adjective): In a state of disrepair; worn out. (e.g., a neighborhood).
• Run down (phrasal verb): To hit with a vehicle; to criticize; to lose power; to find after searching.
• Summary (noun): A brief statement of main points.
• Overview (noun): A general review or summary.

Synonyms

• For the "summary" meaning: summary, outline, recap, overview, synopsis, briefing.
• For the "reduction" meaning: reduction, decrease, cutback, winding down, deterioration, decline.

Antonyms

• For the "summary" meaning: elaboration, expansion, detailed report.
• For the "reduction" meaning: expansion, increase, buildup, development.

Related Phrases

• Get a rundown on (something): To receive a summary about something.
  • "I need to get a rundown on the client's history before the meeting."
• Caught in a rundown: (Baseball idiom) To be trapped in a hopeless situation between two bad choices (derived from the baseball term).
  • "The scandal had the politician caught in a rundown between resigning and facing a public inquiry."

Noun

1. a concluding summary (as in presenting a case before a law court)