A dictionary of Confusable Phrases: More Than 10,000 Idioms and Collocations

be in the race • make the race
be in the race —
1
. compete for smth. such as public office,
etc.: Morris Udall, the “liberal-progressive” spear carrier, will
have to win to stay in the race. 2. (negat.) not have a chance
of winning or obtaining smth.: A few years ago he wouldn’t
have been in the race to own a car like that.
make the race — = be in the race 
1
: He might perhaps consider
making the Senate race.
be in the running • make the running
be in the running —compete for smth. such as fame, smb.’s
affections, etc.: A month before Joyce married Hal, three of
Joyce’s boy friends seemed to be still in the running. Cf.: be
out of the running — fail to achieve success as a contender: Hal-
liburton is now out of the running for bids on lucrative con-
struction contracts.
make the running —
1
. lead over one’s competitors in a con-
test, etc.: The early leaders drop back and allow others to
make the running. 2. (also: do the running ) show initiative;
make sure that things get done: He is unsure of himself, half-
frightened of the girl, so she has to make the running.
be in the same boat • sail in the same boat
be in the same boat—(also: be in the same box) be in the same,
– 37 –
be in the same boat

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usually unfavorable, position: When John told her how poor
he was she said that she was in the same boat.
sail in the same boat—act together; make common cause
with a person: If I were you I wouldn’t sail in the same boat
with someone as corrupt as he is.
be in the swim • swim with the stream
be in the swim— have interest or active role in modern life
and social activities: The need to be in the swim — up to
date — might not have been the least of our driving forces for
general progress.
swim with the stream—(also: float with the stream) act as the
majority of people do; behave in a conventional way: Those
who prefer to swim with the stream are numerous everywhere.