run off

phrasal verb·1 sense·particle off

Meanings

1

Leave running, often abruptly

Why “off”? The whole object launches away from where it stood.

The thief ran off into the alley.
The thief fled at speed into the alley.
The dog ran off across the field.
The dog fled at speed across the field.

Don't confuse with

run offrun on

Run off means leave running, often abruptly. Run on means continue without stopping, often longer than expected.

run offrun along

Run off means leave running. Run along means used to tell a child or someone to leave.

run offrun out

Run off means leave running. Run out means reject and force someone to leave a place.

Test yourself

The thief ran off into the alley. What does it mean?

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