end run

1 of 2

noun

1

: a football play in which the ballcarrier attempts to run wide around the end of the line

specifically : sweep sense 3e

2

: an evasive trick or maneuver

made an end run around the regulations

end-run

2 of 2

verb

ˈend-ˌrən 

end-ran; end-running; end-runs

transitive verb

: to avoid artfully

end-running the law

Examples of end run in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In interviews, professors who specialize in bankruptcy said that the bonuses appeared to be an end run around Kennedy’s reforms. —Bob Fernandez, ProPublica, 17 Dec. 2024

The sea may provide an end run for the West in escaping China’s monopolization of terrestrial mining. —Greg Autry, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024

Verb

What would be very dangerous is for the new Republican Senate leadership to end-run that entire process to try to short circuit to either not have hearings or not have votes on the Senate floor to confirm these members, Van Hollen said. —Lori Rampani, Baltimore Sun, 14 Nov. 2024

Large Chinese banks tightened transactions with Russia in response to sanctions pressures, but at the same time numerous Chinese cut-outs and smaller banks became involved in creating ways to end-run them. —Ariel Cohen, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1902, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1952, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

end run

noun

: a football play in which the ballcarrier attempts to run wide around the end