English Meaning & Definitions
To leave a place or person suddenly and without permission; to escape or flee.
- “The teenager decided to run away from home after a disagreement with his parents.”
- “The thief tried to run away from the police but was quickly caught.”
To try to avoid dealing with a difficult situation or problem.
- “You cannot just run away from your responsibilities when things get tough.”
- “It is better to face your fears rather than run away from them.”
Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown
Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “run away”.
The phrasal verb combines the Old English 'rinnan' (meaning to move swiftly on foot) with the Middle English 'away' (from Old English 'onweg', meaning on way or out of here). Together, the phrase literalized around the 14th century to signify fleeing or escaping from a physical location, eventually extending metaphorically to avoiding difficult situations or responsibilities.
Imagine a child who hears 'dinner is broccoli!' and instantly decides to *run* *away* from the kitchen.
Frequently Asked Questions About “run away”
1. What is the meaning of “run away” in English?
In English, run away (verb) is defined as: “To leave a place or person suddenly and without permission; to escape or flee.”.
2. How do you use “run away” in a sentence?
“The teenager decided to run away from home after a disagreement with his parents.”
4. What is the etymology and word origin of “run away”?
The phrasal verb combines the Old English 'rinnan' (meaning to move swiftly on foot) with the Middle English 'away' (from Old English 'onweg', meaning on way or out of here). Together, the phrase literalized around the 14th century to signify fleeing or escaping from a physical location, eventually extending metaphorically to avoiding difficult situations or responsibilities.
🇬🇧More English Words to English
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A specific duration of time equal to one hour and forty-six minutes and twelve seconds.
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