run before

English

Verb

run before (third-person singular simple present runs before, present participle running before, simple past ran before, past participle run before)

1. (archaic, transitive) To flee from (something); to run away from (something).
   • 1888, Ernest Rhys, editor, Songs from the Edda, page 166:

     In such wise did Helgi
     Deal fear around To all his foes
     And all their friends
     As when the goat runneth
     Before the wolf's rage
     Filled with mad fear
     Down from the fell

   • 1600, William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Dream, page 73:

     Thou runnest before me, shifting every place,
     and darest not stand, nor look me in the face

2. (archaic) To precede (something); to anticipate (something).
   • 1858, John Heywood, edited by John S. Farmer, The Proverbs of John Heywood, London, page 205:

     Thy tongue runneth before thy wit.

   • 1638, A. Jhonston, Acts of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Edinburgh, page 34:

     although calumnie often starteth first and runneth before, yet veritie follow followeth her at the heels

3. (archaic, intransitive) To excel or be better than someone.
   • 1609, Boethius, Boethius: The Theological Tractates, page 309:

     Thou runnest before rightly