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Synonyms

hit-and-run

American  
[hit-n-ruhn] / ˈhɪt nˈrʌn /

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

hit-and-run British  

adjective

    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

  1. (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

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.

Even when you think it’s hit and run and it’s supposed to not mean anything, the effort not to make it mean something is meaningful.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 5, 2024

She then claimed to a police officer the incident was a "hit and run".

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2024

Carroll said Wednesday that seeing players hit and run around and finally be able to fully tackle was maybe the No. 1 thing he wanted to see in the game.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 10, 2023

The Lincolnton Police Department charged Daniel Gonzalez, 68, of Hickory with felony hit and run for Sunday’s violent crash that sent the six victims to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

From Washington Times • Aug. 1, 2023

Jab and run, dodge, forget the combinations, one punch at a time, two jabs, hit and run, stick and move, don't get too close too long.

From "The Contender" by Robert Lipsyte

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