run like a dry creek

/R AH1 N L AY0 K AH0 D R AY0 K R IY0 K/
verb
  1. 1

    (simile, US, colloquial, politics) To run for political office with little chance of success.

  2. 2

    (simile, US, colloquial) To run (in various senses) badly or not at all.