up and running
up and running (idiom)
/ˌʌp ən ˈrʌnɪŋ/
Meanings
- Fully working and operating as expected.
- Ready for use after preparation or setup.
- Successfully started and functioning.
- Back in operation after a pause or problem.
- Able to move about physically (literal, less common).
Synonyms: operational; functioning; active; ready; in service; working; back in action.
Example Sentences
- The website was up and running after the technical issues were fixed.
- The new office will be up and running by the end of the week.
- With the team in place, the project is now up and running.
- The machine was repaired and up and running within hours.
- After weeks of rest, he was up and running again (literal).
Etymology and Origin
The idiom “up and running” denotes a state of full operational functionality, typically applied to systems, machines, or processes that have been initiated and are performing as expected.
Several theories surround its etymology and history. One perspective links it to mechanical and industrial contexts, where “up” refers to a device being powered or elevated to a ready state, and “running” indicates active motion or operation, reflecting the language of engineering during the industrial era.
Another theory attributes it to the field of computing, where “up” signifies a system being accessible and online, combined with “running” to describe ongoing program execution, emerging as technology advanced in the latter half of the 20th century.
A third belief traces it to sports commentary, particularly in athletics or horse racing, where “up” describes rising from a starting position and “running” conveys the commencement of movement, symbolizing a swift transition to activity.
Country of Origin
This phrase first emerged in the United States, aligning with the nation’s leadership in technological and industrial innovations during the mid-20th century. Its usage spread globally through English-language media and technical literature, but its initial appearance reflects American linguistic patterns influenced by emerging fields like computing and manufacturing.
Earliest Printed Record
The earliest documented use of the term in print occurs in the book “Computers and Automation,” authored by Edmund Callis Berkeley, published on March 1, 1952. In this work, Berkeley describes early computational setups, stating:
“With the circuits connected, the machine was up and running within minutes, processing the initial data sets.”
This quotation illustrates the phrase in a technical context, marking its transition into written language.
Variants
- back up and running
- fully up and running
- up and operating
- up and working
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