"Run something by someone," "clear it with someone," and "get sign-off from someone" all involve a check. However, they often suggest different levels of authority. The best choice depends on what the process truly requires.
Run something by someone usually asks for a reaction or quick go-ahead. Clear it with someone often means getting permission before you proceed. Get sign-off from someone asks for clear approval. That approval may be recorded, but the phrase alone does not prove it was logged.
Match the approval level
Choose the wording that accurately represents the process.
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Learn "Run Something By" in depth →The same idea, three levels of obligation
Lightest: "Let me run this by the design lead before I finalize it." (an informal review or go-ahead)
Middle: "I need to clear this with legal before we send it." (permission or an authority check)
Heaviest: "We can't launch until we get sign-off from compliance." (an explicit approval gate; the process sets the recordkeeping rule)
The wrong phrase can hide what the process needs. I ran it by legal may understate a required legal approval. I need to clear this with the team may suggest authority the team does not have. State the required action when the stakes are high.
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Start the "Run Something By" learning path →How to tell which one you need
Ask what you need from the other person. For advice or a quick reaction, use run it by. When you need permission, clear it with often fits. For an explicit approval step, use get sign-off. If the approval must be recorded, name that requirement too.
The rule
Match the phrase to the actual process. Use run something by for informal review. Use clear it with when permission is expected. Use get sign-off from for explicit approval. These are common patterns, not fixed legal definitions.
Practice scenarios
Practice choosing among run something by, clear it with, and get sign-off from in situations like:
- checking a draft informally versus needing formal legal permission
- describing a compliance-bound decision that requires a documented approval
- catching a moment where "run by" understates what the situation actually required
Useful practice phrases:
- "Let me run this by you before I finalize it."
- "I need to clear this with legal first."
- "We can't proceed without sign-off from compliance."
Request an informal check
These phrases often signal different levels of obligation. Match the words to the actual process.
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