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run away

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run away (from someone or something)

to flee someone or something. Please don't run away from me. I mean you no harm. Our dog ran away from the lawn mower.

See also: away, run

run away (from somebody/something)

1. to leave a person or place secretly and suddenly Vinnie ran away from home when he was 16.

2. to avoid someone or something unpleasant You can't run away from your problems by watching videos all day. It is a disease and there is no cure, but you must not run away from people with AIDS.

See also: away, run

run away

1. Flee, escape, as in Our dog is no watchdog; he runs away from strangers, or Our six-year-old said he'd run away from home. [Late 1300s]

2. Also, run off. Leave secretly, especially to elope, as in She ran away from home when she was only thirteen, or They ran off to Maryland and got married by a justice of the peace. [Early 1600s]

3. it won't run away. An object, activity, or issue will not disappear, as in You can leave, but when you come back the mess in the kitchen will still be there-it won't run away, you know! This jocular assurance of permanence dates from the late 1800s. Also see run away with.

See also: away, run

run away

v.

1. To flee; escape: As the soldiers approached the town, many people ran away. The mouse ran away from the cat.

2. To secretly leave one's home to escape it: Every year, many teenagers run away and never return home.

3. To secretly leave one's home to elope or have a romantic relationship: They didn't want to deal with a big wedding, so they ran away to Las Vegas.

4. run away with To surpass an opponent and attain some prize: They ran away with the championship, defeating every opponent handily.

See also: away, run