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run (sth) down

(LOSE POWER) phrasal verb with run
 
 
/rʌn/ verb (present participle running, past tense ran, past participle run)

Definition

If a machine or device such as a clock or battery runs down, it loses power, or if you run it down, you cause this to happen: These batteries can be recharged when they run down. You'll run the battery down if you leave your car lights on.Deteriorating and making worse
(Definition of run (sth) down (LOSE POWER) from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

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