Exercise 1

Rupert uses the expression "to run low".

Which of the following sentences use(s) the expression "to run low" correctly?

Tick any correct answers that apply!

Money is running dangerously low, we could close the business at any time.

I've run low round the park for the last 30 minutes, and now I'm very hot.

After he escaped from the prison, he ran low for a few days.

We're running low on petrol. Let's stop at the next petrol station and fill up.

Rupert uses the expression "to run low".

Which of the following sentences use(s) the expression "to run low" correctly?

Tick any correct answers that apply!

Money is running dangerously low, we could close the business at any time.

This sentence uses the expression correctly. In this sentence, the money (or treasury) of a business has nearly reached zero, so the business may need to close. "To run low (on money)" means that money is diminishing, or that not much money remains. In the broadcast, Rupert reports that the amount of fish in the North Sea is "running low", because there is too much fishing there and the amount of fish is decreasing. Note that the expression "to run low" can be split with an adverb (such as "dangerously" in this sentence).

I've run low round the park for the last 30 minutes, and now I'm very hot.

This sentence uses the expression incorrectly. Adding the adverb "low" to the verb "run" completely changes the meaning and does not make sense in this sentence. You can "run round" the park (which means to run in a circuit or circle), however the term "to run low" means to become reduced or diminished. A person cannot "run low".

After he escaped from the prison, he ran low for a few days.

This sentence uses the expression incorrectly. You can "run away" from prison (which means "to escape") and after doing so, you may want to "lie low" (which means to keep out of sight and avoid attention). However, "to run low" is used when talking about something, such as a supply of petrol, becoming reduced or diminished. A person cannot "run low".

We're running low on petrol. Let's stop at the next petrol station and fill up.

This sentence uses the expression correctly. "To run low (on petrol)" means to have little petrol remaining, or to have a diminishing supply of petrol. In this example, the speaker suggests a trip to the petrol station in order to refuel because of the low amount of petrol. In this broadcast, Rupert reports that the amount of fish in the North Sea is "running low" because there is too much fishing there. Note that the preposition "on" frequently follows this expression, for example: We're running low on milk, can you go to the supermarket and buy some?

Exercise 2

Mr. Jiou seems surprised to see Icarus. He says "We don't get many white collars down here".

This means that:

The warehouse is running low on merchandise.

Management-level employees rarely visit the warehouse.

Mr. Jiou likes Icarus' shirt.

Mr. Jiou isn't paid enough.

I don't know

Mr. Jiou seems surprised to see Icarus. He says "We don't get many white collars down here".

This means that:

The warehouse is running low on merchandise.

This is incorrect. The warehouse has not got a shortage of product units.

Management-level employees rarely visit the warehouse.

This is the correct choice. Employees who do manual labor, such as moving merchandise around or operating machinery, are often referred to as "blue-collar" workers, while management-level employees and senior office workers are described as "white-collar".

Mr. Jiou likes Icarus' shirt.

This is incorrect. Mr. Jiou's use of the term "white collars" is idiomatic, not literal.

Mr. Jiou isn't paid enough.

This is incorrect. Mr. Jiou doesn't make any comment about his salary.

Run low meaning in English

Definition

Examples

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