give (someone) a run for his/her/your/their money

idiom

: to make it difficult for (someone) to win a game or contest by trying hard and playing or performing well
Though they lost, they gave last year's champions a run for their money.

Dictionary Entries Near give (someone) a run for his/her/your/their money

give (someone) a rollicking

give (someone) a run for his/her/your/their money

give (someone) a shout

Cite this Entry

“Give (someone) a run for his/her/your/their money.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/give%20%28someone%29%20a%20run%20for%20his%2Fher%2Fyour%2Ftheir%20money. Accessed 26 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!