hit-and-run
Americanadjective
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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.
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involving or resulting from such action or conduct.
hit-and-run fatalities.
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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.
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marked by taking flight immediately after a quick, concentrated attack.
a hit-and-run raid.
verb (used without object)
adjective
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involved in or denoting a motor-vehicle accident in which the driver leaves the scene without stopping to give assistance, inform the police, etc
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( as noun )
a hit-and-run
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(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
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baseball denoting a play in which a base runner begins to run as the pitcher throws the ball to the batter
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of hit-and-run
An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The identities of the man arrested and the hit-and-run victim haven’t been released by authorities.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 18, 2026
A man has been charged over the alleged hit-and-run death of schoolboy Keaton Slater in Coventry more than two years ago.
From BBC ● Aug. 6, 2026
The sheriff’s office has recommended that the Napa County District Attorney’s Office consider filing a misdemeanor hit-and-run charge.
From Salon ● Jul. 5, 2026
The Sheriff’s Office said Pelosi’s vehicle also had “significant” damage to its front right and the damage was consistent with the hit-and-run.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 4, 2026
Sherrie and Janice conducted hit-and-run seminars on the practice, usually after a new crop of volunteers came on.
From "Native Speaker" by Chang-rae Lee
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
