“Run It By Me” Clarifying and Collaborating with Confidence
BUSINESS ENGLISHTIPS
Welcome. In any high-performance environment, from a graduate school seminar to a corporate boardroom, the clarity of your communication is a direct measure of your effectiveness. We frequently encounter situations that require us to check, clarify, or confirm information before proceeding. A misstep due to poor understanding can lead to wasted time and resources.
For these exact moments, the English language offers a clear and collaborative phrase that is essential for your professional toolkit: “Run it by me.”
This expression is a powerful device for inviting input, ensuring alignment, and demonstrating confidence. Whether you are a student collaborating on a complex project, a professional reviewing a proposal, or an IELTS candidate aiming for a higher score, understanding how to use this phrase will significantly enhance your communication. This guide will provide a structured breakdown of its meaning, application, and strategic value.
What Does “Run It By Me” Mean?
The idiomatic phrase “to run something by someone” means to present an idea, plan, document, or piece of information to a person so they can provide their feedback, approval, or clarification on it.
To put it in simpler terms, it can be used to say:
“Explain your idea to me.”
“Let me review that before it goes out.”
“Please tell me the details again so I can offer my opinion or confirm my understanding.”
The phrase cleverly uses the metaphor of motion. Imagine an item on an assembly line moving past a quality control checkpoint. To “run it by” someone is to move your idea past their checkpoint for a quick inspection. This makes it an efficient and intuitive way to request a review without sounding demanding or uncertain.
Why It's a Useful Tool for You
This expression is a strategic asset for several key audiences who need to communicate with precision and professionalism.
For Graduate Students In academia, collaboration is constant. Whether you are co-authoring a paper, planning a group presentation, or discussing your thesis with a supervisor, you need to ensure everyone is aligned. Asking a peer, “Before we finalize the outline, can you run your section by me?” is a collaborative way to check for coherence. It shows you value your colleagues' work and are committed to the project's overall quality.
For Job Seekers and Professionals In the workplace, this phrase demonstrates crucial soft skills. When you tell a manager, “I have a draft of the client email; I’d like to run it by you before I send it,” you are showing proactivity and attention to detail. You are taking ownership of your work while respecting the established chain of command. It signals that you are a careful, coachable, and reliable member of the team.
For IELTS Candidates To achieve a high score in the IELTS Speaking test, you must demonstrate a command of natural, idiomatic English. Using a phrase like “run it by my manager” in Part 3 when discussing workplace dynamics shows the examiner that your vocabulary extends beyond textbooks. It adds a layer of authenticity and fluency to your speech, proving you can communicate effectively in real world scenarios.
Examples in Context
Let's examine how this phrase functions in different practical situations.
Academic Setting: Two students are preparing a presentation for a seminar. One says to the other, “I’ve written the introduction, but I’m not sure about the tone. Can you let me run it by you quickly?” This is a low-pressure way to ask for constructive feedback.
Business Setting: A project manager gives a series of complex instructions in a meeting. To ensure accuracy, a team member says, “That all makes sense, but just to be certain, can you run the deadlines by me one more time?” This is a confident way to ask for clarification without appearing to have not paid attention.
Job Interview: An interviewer asks, “How do you handle tasks when the instructions are unclear?” A strong answer would be: “My first step is to review the information I have and identify the specific gaps. Then, I’ll approach my manager and say, ‘I want to ensure I get this right. Let me run my understanding of the task by you to make sure I’m on the right track.’” This response frames asking for help as a strategic quality control measure.
Email Follow-up: You receive a document from a colleague. You might reply, “Thanks for sending over the draft. This looks like a great start. I’ll run it by my supervisor for final approval and will get back to you with any feedback by the end of the day.” This manages expectations clearly and professionally.
Grammar and Usage Notes
To use this phrase correctly, it is important to understand its structure and level of formality. The phrase is informal but widely accepted in professional and academic conversations.
The structure is: run + [the item] + by + [the person].
For more formal situations, you can use alternatives:
“Could I check this with you before I proceed?”
“I would like to get your input on this matter.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid: Pay close attention to the word order and the preposition.
Incorrect: “Run it to me.” (The preposition must be “by.”)
Incorrect: “I’ll run you by it.” (The object being reviewed, “it,” must come before the person, “you.”)
When and How to Use It
You should use the phrase “run it by me/you/them” in specific situations to foster clarity and collaboration.
When you need someone’s opinion or approval before taking the next step.
When you want to double check your understanding of instructions or information you have just received.
When you are in a leadership position and want to encourage open communication from your team.
This expression is particularly effective when working under pressure, collaborating with new teams, or presenting ideas to senior figures, as it builds a bridge for clear and direct communication.
Final Thoughts
“Run it by me” is more than just a casual phrase; it is a communication strategy. It signals confidence, a commitment to clarity, and a collaborative spirit. These are three qualities that are highly valued by employers, professors, and language examiners.
Your next step is to actively listen for opportunities to incorporate this expression into your spoken and written English. Practice using it to check your understanding or to offer a review for a colleague. Doing so will not only improve your fluency but will also help you build stronger, more effective relationships in your academic and professional life.