1. Home
2. Idioms
3. run its course

run its course

---

---

run its course

[for something] to continue through its cycle of existence, especially a disease. Sorry. There is no medicine for it. It will just have to run its course.

See also: course, run

run its course

to continue until finished Unfortunately, a cold has to run its course. It was a wonderful show, but I think this play has run its course.

See also: course, run

run its course

if something runs its course, it continues naturally until it has finished Many people believe that feminism has run its course. The doctor insisted I rest for a few days while the infection ran its course.

See also: course, run

run its course

Proceed to its logical or natural conclusion, as in The doctor said the cold would probably run its course within a week. This idiom employs course in the sense of "an onward movement in a particular path." [Second half of 1500s]

See also: course, run