run the gauntlet

English

Alternative forms

• run the gantlet

Pronunciation

• Audio (AU):

  (file)

Verb

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

1. (idiomatic) To undergo a series of tests or challenges.
   • 1985, J. G. Thirlwell (lyrics and music), “Anything (Viva!)”, in Nail, performed by Scraping Foetus Off the Wheel:

     Run the gauntlet north and south
     March on up to the cannon's mouth
     And say I can do any goddamn thing I want

Synonyms

• (archaic) pass the pikes

Translations

to undergo a series of tests or challenges

• Finnish: juosta kujanjuoksua
• French: affronter (fr), braver (fr), endurer (fr)
• Hungarian: bírálat(ok) pergőtüzében áll, állja a támadásokat
• Polish: podejmować wyzwanie impf (to take up the challenge), podjąć wyzwanie pf

See also

• run the gamut (not to be confused)