run in the background

Meaning

This expression describes software, apps, or processes that operate quietly without displaying an active window on your screen. It is commonly used when talking about smartphones, computers, and battery life. It implies that the program is still active and consuming resources even if you are not actively looking at it.

Examples

• Make sure you close any apps that run in the background to save your phone's battery.

  Make sure you close any apps that run in the background to save your phone's battery.

• The antivirus software runs in the background, so you don't have to worry about manual scans.

  The antivirus software runs in the background, so you don't have to worry about manual scans.

• I didn't realize the navigation app was still running in the background all afternoon.

  I didn't realize the navigation app was still running in the background all afternoon.

• You can listen to music while the download runs in the background.

  You can listen to music while the download runs in the background.

• Some system updates run in the background without interrupting your work.

  Some system updates run in the background without interrupting your work.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The app is running at the background.

  ✓ The app is running in the background.

  We use the preposition 'in' (not 'at' or 'on') when referring to background processes.

• ✗ I closed the program because it was running behind.

  ✓ I closed the program because it was running in the background.

  'Running behind' means being late or delayed. 'Running in the background' is the correct term for hidden computer processes.

Related Expressions

Practice

• To keep your phone fast, disable apps that ___.

  💡 operate quietly when not open

  Show answer

  run in the background

• The backup utility will ___ while you continue working.

  💡 work silently in the back

  Show answer

  run in the background