English

Verb

to run into the ground

1. (transitive, idiomatic) To mismanage to the point of ruin.

   Although he has an MBA from Harvard, he still ran the company into the ground.

2. (transitive, idiomatic) To wear out, especially through excessive use.

   I figure this car has a few more years left in it and I intend to run it into the ground before purchasing another.

   • 2011 January 5, Jonathan Stevenson, “Arsenal 0 - 0 Man City”, in BBC:

     City sent on Adam Johnson for the ineffective Jo and the Englishman at least gave notice that he wanted to run at the Arsenal defence, but his team-mates had been run into the ground by then and no-one could get up in support of the winger.

3. (transitive, idiomatic) To discuss ad nauseam.

   You've run the upcoming election into the ground and I simply won't listen to another word about it.