run for the exercise

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Sense 1

Meaning · English

To run for political office with little chance of success.

Register: colloquial

Where it’s used: Used American English

Examples

[I]f Rockefeller wanted to run for the exercise, [Democrats] reasoned, let him kill himself off and clear the way for a more regular Republican in the next election.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see run, exercise.

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “run for the exercise” mean?

To run for political office with little chance of success.

Is “run for the exercise” formal or informal?

run for the exercise is generally colloquial.