In 15 Seconds
- To compete in an election for a leadership position.
- Commonly used for government roles or community leadership.
- Implies a public campaign and seeking votes from others.
Meaning
When you decide to compete in an election to get a specific job in the government or a leadership role in a group.
Key Examples
3 of 6Discussing a friend's ambitions
I think you should run for office; you have great ideas for the city.
I think you should run for office; you have great ideas for the city.
Formal news report
The senator announced she will not run for office in the next election.
The senator announced she will not run for office in the next election.
Texting about a local election
Did you hear? Mike is actually running for office!
Did you hear? Mike is actually running for office!
Cultural Background
Running for office in the US is often a multi-year process involving massive fundraising and 'primary' elections before the main election. In the UK, the term 'stand for office' is more common, and campaigns are much shorter, often lasting only a few weeks. Candidates running for office in Japan often use 'sound trucks'—vans with loudspeakers that drive around neighborhoods repeating the candidate's name. In many Nordic countries, people run for office as part of a party list rather than as individuals, emphasizing party platform over personal celebrity.
The 'For' is Key
Always remember the 'for.' Without it, you are just managing a room with desks!
Not for Jobs
Don't use this in a job interview for a normal company. It sounds like you want to be elected by your coworkers.
In 15 Seconds
- To compete in an election for a leadership position.
- Commonly used for government roles or community leadership.
- Implies a public campaign and seeking votes from others.
What It Means
Run for office means you are officially trying to get elected. You want a seat in the government or a club. You aren't literally running with your legs. You are campaigning, giving speeches, and asking for votes. It is like entering a race where the prize is a job.
How To Use It
You use this phrase as a verb. You can say someone is running for office right now. Or they ran for office in the past. It usually follows the person's name. For example, "Sarah is running for office this year." It sounds active and energetic. It implies a lot of hard work and public speaking.
When To Use It
Use this during election season. It works for big things like President or small things like School Board. You can even use it for private clubs. If you want to be the president of your local book club, you are running for office. Use it when discussing career goals in politics. It is perfect for news discussions or water-cooler talk at work.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this if someone is just applying for a normal job. If your friend wants to be a manager at a bank, they aren't running for office. They are just applying for a job. Also, don't use it if the position is appointed. If the Mayor just picks you to be an assistant, you didn't run for it. You were appointed. Using it for a regular office job will make people think you are joking about being a politician.
Cultural Background
In the US and UK, the word run suggests a race. In the UK, they often say stand for office instead. Americans like the word run because it sounds fast and competitive. It reflects the high-energy nature of Western campaigns. It has been used since the 18th century. It captures the spirit of a marathon where only one person wins.
Common Variations
You might hear seek office or bid for office. These are a bit more formal. You will also hear run for re-election if the person already has the job. If they are doing it for the first time, they are running for the first time. Sometimes people just say someone is running, and the for office part is understood from the context.
Usage Notes
The phrase is neutral and widely used in both casual conversation and formal news. Be careful not to use it for non-elected corporate roles unless you are being intentionally humorous.
The 'For' is Key
Always remember the 'for.' Without it, you are just managing a room with desks!
Not for Jobs
Don't use this in a job interview for a normal company. It sounds like you want to be elected by your coworkers.
Use 'Incumbent'
If someone is already in the job and 'running for office' again, call them the 'incumbent' to sound like a C1 speaker.
UK vs US
Use 'stand' in London and 'run' in New York to sound more like a local.
Examples
6I think you should run for office; you have great ideas for the city.
I think you should run for office; you have great ideas for the city.
A supportive suggestion for someone to enter politics.
The senator announced she will not run for office in the next election.
The senator announced she will not run for office in the next election.
A standard way to report political news.
Did you hear? Mike is actually running for office!
Did you hear? Mike is actually running for office!
Expressing surprise about a peer's decision.
If you keep buying us donuts, I'll vote for you when you run for office!
If you keep buying us donuts, I'll vote for you when you run for office!
Using political language to joke about office popularity.
I decided to run for office because I want our children to have better schools.
I decided to run for office because I want our children to have better schools.
Expressing a sincere, heart-felt motivation for campaigning.
Running for office requires a lot of fundraising and public networking.
Running for office requires a lot of fundraising and public networking.
Discussing the practical requirements of a political career.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing words to complete the sentence.
After years of working as a lawyer, she decided to ______ ______ office to help her community.
The standard collocation is 'run for office.'
Which sentence uses the phrase correctly?
Choose the correct sentence:
'Running for office' means seeking election. 'Running an office' means managing it.
Complete the dialogue with the correct form of 'run for office'.
A: Did you hear about Sarah? B: No, what happened? A: She ________ (past tense) last year and she actually won!
The sentence refers to a completed action in the past ('last year'), so the simple past 'ran' is required.
Match the person to the most likely reason they would run for office.
Match the following:
Different 'offices' exist for different goals and communities.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Run vs. Stand
Practice Bank
4 exercisesAfter years of working as a lawyer, she decided to ______ ______ office to help her community.
The standard collocation is 'run for office.'
Choose the correct sentence:
'Running for office' means seeking election. 'Running an office' means managing it.
A: Did you hear about Sarah? B: No, what happened? A: She ________ (past tense) last year and she actually won!
The sentence refers to a completed action in the past ('last year'), so the simple past 'ran' is required.
Match the following:
Different 'offices' exist for different goals and communities.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
14 questionsUsually, no. We use 'run for a seat on the board' or 'apply for a position.' 'Office' usually implies a public or non-profit leadership role.
It is neutral to formal. It's used in newspapers and by politicians themselves.
'Running for office' is the status/goal. 'Campaigning' is the actual work (giving speeches, meeting people) you do to achieve that goal.
Only if you follow it with the specific name, like 'run for the office of Mayor.' Otherwise, just say 'run for office.'
Almost always 'run for office' (no 'an'). It's treated as an abstract concept.
It's the person who is currently winning the 'race' to be elected.
In some places, yes, for school boards or youth councils. The phrase still applies!
Yes, but 'stand for office' is more common in British English.
There isn't a direct opposite idiom, but you might say 'withdrawing from the race' or 'stepping down.'
No, it means a 'position of authority' or 'public duty.'
Yes! 'Run for [Position]' is a very common variation of 'run for office.'
It's the set of ideas and promises a person makes while running for office.
'Run for' is the campaign. 'Serve in' is the job after you win.
Yes, it comes from the idea of a political 'race' where speed and energy are needed to win.
Related Phrases
throw one's hat in the ring
similarTo officially announce that you are entering a competition or election.
on the campaign trail
builds onThe series of events and speeches a candidate does while running for office.
seek a mandate
specialized formTo ask for the authority to carry out a specific policy.
run for re-election
specialized formTo try to win the same office you currently hold.
stump for
similarTo travel around making political speeches.
