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Definitions

run the gauntlet

VERB
go through an ordeal
Synonyms
WEAK
be a target be a whipping boy come to grips with court disaster face criticism face one's punishment go in harm's way go through fire and water march up to the cannon's mouth meet head-on take one's life in one's hands take potshots take the bull by the horns

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

While some tankers have sailed through, several owners said they aren’t willing to run the gauntlet.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 5, 2026

As markets run the gauntlet of four major central bank policy decisions this week, and Italy's election at the end of it, the trajectory for interest rates keeps rising all the time.

From Reuters • Sep. 20, 2022

"Those appointments, some of them were very, very, difficult. Had I had to run the gauntlet of protesters, it would have made them even worse," she said.

From BBC • Jul. 1, 2022

“It’s a test of voters to run the gauntlet, to figure out these new rules and restrictions,” Hewitt said.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 1, 2021

He had run the gauntlet of flames, risked his life several times in a futile effort to locate his young nieces and nephew, and barely managed to escape.

From "The Great Fire" by Jim Murphy