What does "running mate" mean? In what circumstances can I use it?
Native speaker’s answer
Rebecca
The term "running mate" in this case refers to the person that a political candidate is running with, such as the person running for vice president alongside the candidate for president. However, this is not the usual context of the phrase, "running mate." In a more popular context, "running mate" refers to someone a runner runs with. Ex: She is my running mate. We get up every morning at six o'clock and run together. Ex: The presidential candidate and his running mate.