What Does "Rat Run" Mean?
"Rat run" is an English idiom. It means "a road or route that is used by drivers as a shortcut to avoid traffic congestion; often used in a negative context."Examples in Sentences
Here are three examples of the idiom "rat run" used in a sentence:- The small street was often used as a rat run by impatient commuters trying to avoid the main traffic jam.
- The residents complained about the noise and danger caused by drivers using their quiet neighbourhood as a rat run.
- The GPS app suggested a rat run through side streets to reach the destination faster.
What Is an Idiom?
An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Rat Run" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.
A Quick Test
You now know what "rat run" means, but are you good at English idioms? Let's see!
Gold
Silver
Bronze
- This test has questions.
- A correct answer is worth 5 points.
- You can get up to 5 bonus points for a speedy answer.
- Some questions demand more than one answer. You must get every part right.
- Beware! Wrong answers score 0 points.
- 🏆 If you beat one of the top 3 scores, you will be invited to apply for the Hall of Fame.
Scoring System
Guru (+)
Hero (+)
Captain (+)
Sergeant (+)
Recruit (+)
Guru (+)
Hero (+)
Captain (+)
Sergeant (+)
Recruit (+)
- Do you disagree with something on this page?
- Did you spot a typo?
