run into the ground

Verb

run into the ground (third-person singular simple present runs into the ground, present participle running into the ground, simple past ran into the ground, past participle run into the ground)

1. (idiomatic, informal, transitive) To mismanage to the point of ruin.
   • Although he has an MBA from Harvard, he still ran the company into the ground.
   • Even though that was a good joke, you really did run it into the ground.

   Synonyms:

   drive into the ground

2. (idiomatic, informal, transitive) To wear out, especially through excessive use.
   • I figure this car has a few more years left in it and I intend to run it into the ground before purchasing another.
   • City sent on Adam Johnson for the ineffective Jo and the Englishman at least gave notice that he wanted to run at the Arsenal defence, but his team-mates had been run into the ground by then and no-one could get up in support of the winger.2011 January 5, Jonathan Stevenson, “Arsenal 0 - 0 Man City”, in BBC
3. (idiomatic, informal, transitive) To discuss ad nauseam.
   • You’ve run the upcoming election into the ground and I simply won’t listen to another word about it.