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on the lam

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on the lam

running from the police. (Underworld.) Richard has been on the lam for a week now. The gang leader broke out of prison and is still on the lam.

See also: lam, on

on the lam

moving from place to place to avoid being found or caught She got in trouble in the '70s and was captured after 23 years on the lam.

Usage notes: usually said about someone who is avoiding the police

Related vocabulary: on the run

See also: lam, on

on the lam

  (mainly American informal)

running away from the police or someone in authority in order to escape going to prison He finally gave himself up to the police after 12 years on the lam.

See also: lam, on

on the lam

Running away, especially from the police, as in He's always in some kind of trouble and perpetually on the lam. The origin of this slangy term of the 1800s is not known.

See also: lam, on

on the lam

(...læm)

mod. running from the police. (Underworld.) When the boss found out you was on the lam, he got real mad.

See also: lam, on