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Region: General | Usage example: The proposal was run of the mill compared to their bold vision.

Run of the mill

Meaning

Ordinary or average.

Usage

Used to downgrade something lacking uniqueness.

Origin & History

Origin notes can vary by region and source; this page gives the commonly reported explanation and usage context.

Manufacturing, where products from the mill are standard.

Appears in industrial-era writing describing factory output.

Related Idioms

Day in the life

An ordinary day's routine.

More Idioms

Break the ice

To do or say something to relieve tension or get conversation going in a social situation.

Cut to the chase

Skip ahead to the most important or exciting part of something.

The ball is in your court

It is now your turn to take action or make a decision.

Throw in the towel

To concede defeat or admit a struggle isn't worth continuing.