Run interference 🏃🚧
Meaning
To obstruct or disrupt something on behalf of someone else.
Origin
The phrase 'run interference' burst onto the scene straight from the gridiron. In American football, players run interference by blocking the opposing team's players, clearing a path for their own ball carrier. It's a physical, often aggressive act designed to protect one player by taking on the opposition. This clear tactical maneuver in sports provided a vivid metaphor for any situation where someone steps in to shield another from trouble or obstacles, making the path smoother for them, whether they're facing down a boss or a tricky situation.
Run interference represented with emoji🏃🚧
Observe how the playful juxtaposition of a running figure and construction barrier not just represents the act of 'running interference,' but also evokes a delightful tension. This visual pun invites us to consider the surprising ways symbols can work together, playfully disrupting our expectations of how meaning is made.
Examples
- She had to run interference for her brother when his boss started asking tough questions.
- The detective tried to run interference for the witness, keeping the press away.
- The cloud, shaped like a giant sheepdog, seemed to run interference for the sun, creating a perfect afternoon nap.
- My dragon reluctantly agreed to run interference for the knight, mostly by breathing smoke rings at the villain.
Frequently asked questions
While 'run interference' originated from a literal action in American football, it is now primarily used as an idiom. It refers to obstructing or disrupting something on behalf of another person, not a physical blocking action.
The opposite of 'run interference' would be to actively hinder or obstruct someone, rather than protecting them. Phrases like 'throw someone under the bus' or 'sabotage efforts' capture this opposing idea.
Technically, the phrase implies acting on behalf of *someone else*, but metaphorically, one might 'run interference' for their future self by proactively dealing with potential problems. Its core meaning, however, involves a third party assisting another.
The phrase 'run interference' originated in American football, a sport developed in the United States during the late 19th century. However, there isn't a single individual credited with coining the specific phrase; it evolved naturally with the game's tactics.