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

Note: 
The expression does not correlate in meaning with the
phrase take two bites of a cherry—(also: make two bites of a
cherry) take two turns to accomplish smth. which could be per-
formed in one operation: When we are having the service, let
us not take two bites of a cherry; let us take one bite and have
the most up-to-date system.
run with the hare and hunt with the hounds —try to support
two competing sides in a dispute: He paid the price for his
liberal political beliefs as the Congress tried to run with the
hare and hunt with the hounds.
run around • run around in circles
run around—(coll.) 
1
. go to different places for entertain-
ment or to do things: We went for brunch and then ran around
all day, watched Family Guy, and ate pasta. 2. make short
journeys in a vehicle: Mary bought herself an old car, just for
running around in. 3. associate with smb. of the opposite sex:
I may be old-fashioned in my ideas, but women run around
too much these days to suit me.
run around in circles —(also: go round in circles) work busily
at a task without making any progress: You’re just running
around in circles. Let’s figure out a sensible solution.
run away with someone • run off with someone
run away with someone —
1
. (of lovers, etc.) elope with a per-
son: Well, ma’am, in round numbers, she’s run away with the
soldiers. 2. go out of smb.’s control; become ungovernable: If
corporations are not to run away with us, they must become
quasi-governmental institutions.
run off with someone —
1
. = run away with someone 
1
: Lew
Archer’s job is to find a 
1
7-year-old girl who has run off with
a 
1
9-year-old no-goodnik. 2. capture and abduct a person:
“C’mon, sweetheart,” the man with the gun said to Molly,
grabbing her by the hand. Everyone watched helplessly as the
three men ran off with Molly.