run like a dry creek
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
The Scripps-Howard newspapers, which are supporting Eisenhower, criticized Ike for "running like a dry creek."
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
To run (in various senses) badly or not at all.
Register: colloquial
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “run like a dry creek” mean?
To run for political office with little chance of success.
Is “run like a dry creek” formal or informal?
run like a dry creek is generally colloquial.