The phrase “in the run up to” is commonly used in English to refer to the period of time leading up to an important event. It suggests preparation, anticipation, or increasing activity before something happens.
Meaning and Usage
“In the run up to” typically introduces a timeframe just before a significant occurrence—such as an election, a holiday, a product launch, or a major meeting. It’s often used in news reporting, academic writing, and everyday conversation.
Examples
- In the run up to the election, voter turnout increased significantly.
- The company held several strategy sessions in the run up to the product launch.
- There was a lot of tension in the run up to the peace talks.
Synonyms
Similar expressions include:
- Leading up to
- Prior to
- Before
- In the days/weeks/months before
Common Mistakes
Note that “in the run up to” is always followed by a noun or noun phrase (e.g., the conference, Christmas). It should not be used like a verb or at the end of a sentence without context.