The spelling of the phrase "running wild" can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as /ˈrʌnɪŋ waɪld/. The first syllable "run" is pronounced as /rʌn/ with an "uh" sound. The second syllable "ning" is pronounced as /nɪŋ/ with a short "ih" sound. The third syllable "wild" is pronounced as /waɪld/ with a long "aɪ" sound followed by an "ld" sound. Together, the word is pronounced as "RUH-ning wIYLD". This phrase is commonly used to describe someone or something that is out of control or behaving recklessly.
Running wild refers to a state in which someone or something is behaving in a chaotic or uncontrolled manner, often characterized by acting in a reckless or undisciplined way. This term can be applied to individuals, groups, animals, or even circumstances. The phrase implies a lack of restraint or authority, suggesting that the subject is freely and brazenly acting without regard to rules, social norms, or consequences.
When used to describe an individual, running wild typically describes someone who is behaving in a way that is excessive, uninhibited, or destructive. This can manifest in various ways, such as engaging in reckless activities, disregarding responsibilities, or ignoring social boundaries. It can also be used to describe animals that have escaped captivity or are living in the wild, where they are no longer under human control or influence.
In a broader sense, running wild can refer to situations or events that have become unmanageable or chaotic. For example, this could describe a protest that escalates into riots and violence, a situation where a business is unregulated and lacks oversight, or even a natural disaster that wreaks havoc without any means of control or containment.
Overall, running wild depicts a state of unbridled behavior, where normal constraints or restrictions are abandoned, leading to a situation that is often turbulent, uncontrolled, and potentially dangerous.
The phrase "running wild" is an idiomatic expression used to describe someone or something that is behaving in an unrestrained, uninhibited, or undisciplined manner.
The term "running wild" combines the verb "running" with the adjective "wild".
The adjective "wild" originated from the Old English word "wilde", meaning untamed or not domesticated. It can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "wilthijaz" (meaning wild or untamed), and further to the Proto-Indo-European root "wel", which conveys a sense of tearing apart or disruptive movement.
The verb "running" comes from the Old English word "rinnan", which means to move swiftly on foot. It is connected to the Proto-Germanic word "renjan", and ultimately derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "*reie-", meaning to flow or move swiftly.