Run riot
verb
To behave wildly or out of control.
The children will run riot if they're left without supervision.
Often appears as...
- children run riot
- fans run riot
verb
To grow or spread unchecked.
If left unpruned, the bushes will run riot over the landscape.
Often appears as...
- bushes run riot
- weed run riot
Usage tips
Technical
verb
To behave wildly or out of control.
The children will run riot if they're left without supervision.
Often appears as...
- children run riot
- fans run riot
verb
To grow or spread unchecked.
If left unpruned, the bushes will run riot over the landscape.
Often appears as...
- bushes run riot
- weed run riot
Usage tips
Technical
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Lack of Control
Indicates a situation where people are losing their usual social or moral constraints.
After the football match, hooligans ran riot in the streets.
Pro Tip 2/3Child Behavior
Commonly used to describe unruly behavior of children, often playful and noisy.
The classroom was in chaos; the kids ran riot during the break.
Pro Tip 3/3Emotional Connotation
Suggests a negative reaction to a lack of structure or discipline.
Without strict guidelines, the meeting ran riot and nothing got done.
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