run away
phrasal verb·2 senses·particle away
Meanings
Escape by running
Why “away”? You move away from where you were until you are out of reach.
“The boy ran away from home.”
“The thief ran away down the alley.”
“The dog ran away during the fireworks.”
Avoid dealing with a problem or responsibility
“You can't run away from your problems.”
“He tried to run away from the debt.”
Don't confuse with
Run away means escape by running. Run back means return quickly on foot.
Test yourself
“The boy ran away from home.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
run back
A contrast learners often mix up
Return quickly on foot
back away
Same away pattern: leaving
Move away or distance yourself, often from fear or caution
break away
Same away pattern: leaving
Escape from someone holding you; Leave a group to form a separate one; Pull ahead of others in a race
call away
Same away pattern: leaving
Be required to leave because of an urgent matter
chase away
Same away pattern: leaving
Force someone or something to leave by chasing
come away
Same away pattern: leaving
Leave a place with a particular feeling or impression
drag away
Same away pattern: leaving
Force someone to leave a place reluctantly
draw away
Same away pattern: leaving
Move ahead of competitors by extending the lead
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