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be on the run

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be on the run

1. To be fleeing the police or other authorities, typically after having committed a crime. The police have been unsuccessful in their search of the city, so the suspects must be on the run.

2. To be involved in constant activity. I'm sorry I didn't call you back, I was really on the run today.

3. To be in a vulnerable position. This team is on the run—will they really come back from a five-goal deficit?

See also: on, run

be on the run

to try to avoid being caught, especially by the police A serial killer was on the run last night after escaping from a maximum-security prison. (sometimes + from ) He met his future wife while he was on the run from the police in Germany.

See also: on, run