Reads swiftly through the column and criticises it (4,4)
I believe the answer is:
runs down
'reads' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are verbs in their -s form, I can't understand how one could define the other.
I don't understand the remainder of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for runs down that I've seen before include "Speaks ill of" , "Criticises" , "finds" , "searches successfully" , "what NI county boss does?" .)