out of the running

out of the running

Fig. no longer being considered; eliminated from a contest. •

After the first part of the diving meet, three members of our team were out of the running.

•

After the scandal was made public, I was out of the running. I pulled out of the election.

* * *

{adj.} or {adv. phr.} Having no chance to win; not among the real contenders; not among those to be considered. * /John had been out of the running since his first date with Mary, but he didn't realize it./ * /Jones's horse was put out of the running early in the race./ Contrast: IN THE RUNNING.