hit-and-run

[ hit-n-ruhn ]

adjective

1. guilty of fleeing the scene of an accident or injury one has caused, especially a vehicular accident, thereby attempting to evade being identified and held responsible:

   a hit-and-run driver.

2. involving or resulting from such action or conduct:

   hit-and-run fatalities.

3. Baseball. pertaining to or noting a play in which, to get a head start, a base runner begins to run to the next base as the pitcher delivers the ball to the batter, who must try to hit it in order to protect the runner.
4. marked by taking flight immediately after a quick, concentrated attack:

   a hit-and-run raid.

verb (used without object)

, hit-and-ran, hit-and-run·ning.

1. Baseball. to attempt or execute a hit-and-run play.

hit-and-run

adjective

1. 1. involved in or denoting a motor-vehicle accident in which the driver leaves the scene without stopping to give assistance, inform the police, etc
   2. ( as noun )

      a hit-and-run

2. (of an attack, raid, etc) relying on surprise allied to a rapid departure from the scene of operations for the desired effect

   hit-and-run tactics

3. baseball denoting a play in which a base runner begins to run as the pitcher throws the ball to the batter

Other Words From

• hit-and-runner noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of hit-and-run¹

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900

Example Sentences

The speakers included a man who had been struck by a hit-and-run driver who had then been chased down by Chubby.

From The Daily Beast

Her mother has mental-health problems, and physical-health problems, which deteriorated after a hit-and-run accident.

From The Daily Beast

Thomas Daniels was convicted of DUI and arrested a year later on hit-and-run charges.

From The Daily Beast

In August 2007 she was charged with a misdemeanor hit-and-run and driving without a license after crashing into a parked car.

From The Daily Beast

Another case, this one a hit-and-run charge, was dismissed in 2008.

From The Daily Beast

A detective brings you a minute sample of paint taken from the clothing of a hit-and-run victim.

From Project Gutenberg

A detective brings you a minute 43 sample of paint taken from the clothing of a hit-and-run victim.

From Project Gutenberg

He wanted to know what fouls were, and how to steal bases, and he was nonplussed by such terms as “hit-and-run.”

From Project Gutenberg

He was struck by a hit-and-run car as he walked from his office to the railroad station.

From Project Gutenberg

Pete got the signal for a hit-and-run play and swung at the third ball.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• arrest
• assault
• break in
• capture
• incursion
• invasion
• onslaught
• sortie
• surprise attack
• sweep