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run rings around

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run rings around somebody/something

to show much more skill or ability than someone or something else International gangs of art thieves have run rings around national police. Olympic hockey runs rings around the game played by professionals.

See also: around, ring, run

run rings around/round somebody

to have much more skill, ability, or intelligence than someone else Why does he talk to Alison as if she's stupid, when we all know she could run rings around him?

See also: around, ring, run

run rings around

Also, run circles around. Be markedly superior to, as in Ethan runs rings around David in chess, or In spelling, Karen runs circles around her classmates. The first term, dating from the late 1800s, alludes to a horse running around a riding ring much faster than the others.

See also: around, ring, run