run yourself into the ground idiom Meaning
Idiom: Run yourself into the ground
Definition: To exhaust oneself through overwork or excessive effort; to deplete one’s physical or mental energy by pushing oneself too hard.
Usage: This phrase is often used in contexts relating to work, sports, or personal projects where someone is so dedicated that they neglect their own well-being. For example, “If you keep working those long hours without taking breaks, you’ll run yourself into the ground.”
Etymology: The idiom originates from the concept of “running” as an activity that tires out someone physically, and “into the ground,” suggesting total depletion or exhaustion. It reflects a metaphorical notion that a person’s energy or stamina can be completely exhausted as if their physical self has been reduced to the ground.
Pronunciation: /rʌn jʊrˈsɛlf ˈɪntu ðə graʊnd/
Synonyms:
- Burn oneself out
- Wear oneself out
- Exhaust oneself
- Tire oneself out
Antonyms:
- Rest
- Recuperate
- Recharge
- Take a break
This idiom emphasizes the importance of balance and self-care, warning against the dangers of overexertion.
- After working 60-hour weeks for months, I finally realized I was starting to run myself into the ground.
- Jane is always volunteering for extra projects at work, but I worry she might run herself into the ground.
- If you keep skipping meals and sleeping only a few hours a night, you’ll run yourself into the ground before long.
- During the busy holiday season, I tend to run myself into the ground trying to meet all the demands.
- He was determined to finish the marathon, but I told him not to run himself into the ground in the process.
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