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run to earth

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run someone or something to earth

to find something after a search. Lisa finally ran her long-lost cousin to earth in Paris. After months of searching, I ran a copy of Jim's book to earth.

See also: earth, run

run somebody to earth

  (British & Australian)

to find someone after searching for them The film star was run to earth by reporters in an exclusive golf complex.

See also: earth, run

run to earth

Also, run to ground. Track down, find, as in Somehow we have to run those relatives of hers to earth, or It won't be easy, but I'm sure we can run that jewelry to ground. This expression comes from hunting, where hounds run their quarry to the earth or ground, that is, to their lair. Its figurative use dates from the mid-1800s.

See also: earth, run