run away
HighInformal, but common across all registers.
Definition
Meaning
To leave a place or situation quickly and often secretly, especially to escape from danger, control, or an unwanted responsibility.
To avoid confronting a difficult situation; to elope; to retreat from a commitment or challenge.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a phrasal verb. Can be used both literally (physically fleeing) and figuratively (avoiding responsibility). Often implies a lack of courage or preparedness to face something.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant structural differences. 'Do a runner' is a more common British slang equivalent for the literal sense. The phrase 'run off' is slightly more common in American English for the 'elope' sense.
Connotations
Shared negative connotation of cowardice or irresponsibility in the figurative sense. The literal sense is neutral.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] run away[Subject] run away from [Object/Place/Problem][Subject] run away with [Person]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Run away with the idea (to mistakenly believe)”
- “Run away from one's problems”
- “Run away with someone (elope)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rarely used literally. Figuratively: 'We can't just run away from this market challenge.'
Academic
Used in literary analysis or social sciences: 'The protagonist runs away from his societal obligations.'
Everyday
Very common: 'The dog ran away from the firework noise.' 'He wanted to run away from his responsibilities.'
Technical
Not typically used in technical contexts unless in psychology/sociology discussing avoidance behaviour.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The teenagers decided to run away to Brighton.
- Don't run away from your debts.
American English
- The kids threatened to run away from home.
- You can't just run away from your problems.
adverb
British English
- Not typically used as an adverb phrase. The single word 'away' functions as the adverb.
- He sent the bill running away. (poetic/rare)
American English
- See British note. The phrase itself is not standardly used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- He had a runaway victory in the election. (Note: 'runaway' is a single-word adjective derived from the phrase)
- The runaway horse caused chaos in the street.
American English
- The company struggled with runaway inflation.
- They captured the runaway truck on the hill.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The cat was scared and ran away.
- The little boy ran away from the big dog.
- She wanted to run away from her boring job.
- They ran away to get married without telling their parents.
- Facing criticism, the minister was accused of trying to run away from the issue.
- The algorithm's error caused costs to run away from us.
- The novel explores the protagonist's futile attempt to run away from his own identity.
- Investors warned that public debt was beginning to run away from sustainable levels.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Picture a person literally RUNning AWAY from a problem, with the problem chasing them.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROBLEMS ARE PURSUERS / RESPONSIBILITY IS A BURDEN (from which one flees).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation of components (бегать + прочь). Use 'убегать' (flee) for literal sense and 'избегать' (avoid) or 'сбегать' (escape) for figurative.
- Do not confuse with 'run out' (закончиться).
- 'Run away' for eloping is best translated as 'сбежать (и жениться)'.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect particle: 'run off' vs. 'run away' (similar but not identical).
- Using it transitively without 'from': 'He ran away home' (incorrect) vs. 'He ran away from home' (correct).
- Overuse for simple 'leave'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'run away' used figuratively?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
As a verb phrase, it is two words: 'run away'. However, the derived adjective is one word: 'runaway' (e.g., a runaway success).
They are often interchangeable for the literal sense of fleeing. However, 'run off' can specifically imply elopement ('He ran off with his secretary') or making something flow away ('run off copies'). 'Run away' is more general for escaping.
Yes, but only when the thing being fled is clear from context. 'The dog ran away.' (from home/its owner). Usually, 'from' is needed to specify the source of danger or problem.
It is neutral but leans informal. In very formal writing, synonyms like 'flee', 'abscond', or 'retreat' might be preferred, but 'run away' is perfectly acceptable in most contexts, including journalism and academic prose when used figuratively.