phrasal verb · neutral
run deep
/rʌn ˈdiːp/run·DEEP
to be strongly felt or firmly established; to exist to a great depth or extent
Examples
“Distrust between communities often runs deep after years of conflict.”
“Traditional attitudes about gender roles still run deep in some rural areas.”
“His disappointment runs deep, so a short apology won't fix things.”
Band 8 sentence
“I think the mistrust between generations runs deep, so any policy needs a long‑term approach rather than a quick fix.”
Collocations
- run deep in (a community / society)
- fears / resentments / traditions run deep
- something still runs deep
Word family
Common mistakes
The problem is deep.→The problem runs deep.
The problem runs deeply.→The problem runs deep.
Say it for a higher band
5be deep→6be rooted→7+run deep
Synonyms
be deeply rooted
be entrenched
Easily confused
deep-rooted
“Many communities still have deep-rooted superstitions.”
Related words
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In run …
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