run
down
1
not running because a spring‑driven mechanism has lost its tension
- The antique clock stood rundown on the mantel until someone rewound it.
- The toy tractor was rundown and needed winding before it would move.
- He realized the music box was rundown when the melody faltered and stopped.
- The grandfather clock stood silent and rundown until I found the key and gave it a careful wind.
- She tried to fix the old wind‑up toy, but the mainspring was so rundown that the gears refused to turn.
2
showing signs of heavy wear
- The delivery van looked rundown after years on the road, its paint flaking and bumper dented.
- His work boots were rundown from daily use, the soles nearly separated at the heel.
- The once‑proud toolbox looked rundown after years on construction sites.
- By the end of the season the baseball field was rundown and full of divots.
- The runner's shoes were rundown from daily training and needed replacing.
3
feeling or looking exhausted, particularly after an intense physical activity
- After weeks of working late, she felt completely run-down and needed a break.
- He looked run-down from all the stress at work and lack of sleep.
- The doctor told her she was run-down and needed to take better care of herself.
- His run-down appearance worried his friends, who urged him to rest.
- After taking care of everyone else, she found herself feeling run-down and depleted.
4
(of a place or building) in a very poor condition, often due to negligence
- The old rundown hotel was in desperate need of repairs.
- They decided not to buy the rundown house because of its dilapidated state.
- The rundown neighborhood had a high crime rate and few residents.
- The factory had been left rundown after the company moved to another location.
- The small rundown shop barely attracted any customers anymore.