lam
verb (used with object)
to beat; thrash.
lam
1 American
[lam]
/ læm /
verb (used with object)
lammed,
lamming
verb (used without object)
lammed,
lamming
lam
2
American
[lam]
/ læm /
noun
verb (used without object)
lammed,
lamming
idioms
-
on the lam, escaping, fleeing, or hiding, especially from the police.
He's been on the lam ever since he escaped from jail.
-
take it on the lam, to flee or escape in great haste.
The swindler took it on the lam and was never seen again.
lām
3
American
[lahm]
/ lɑm /
noun
Lam
4
American
[lahm, lam]
/ lɑm, læm /
noun
lam.
5
American
abbreviation
Lam.
6
American
abbreviation
Bible.
lam
1
British
/ læm /
noun
-
a sudden flight or escape, esp to avoid arrest
-
-
making an escape
-
in hiding
-
verb
lam
2
British
/ læm /
verb
-
(tr) to thrash or beat
-
(intr; usually foll by into or out) to make a sweeping stroke or blow
Lam.
3
British
abbreviation
lam
More Idioms
Etymology
Origin of lam1
1590–1600; < Old Norse lamdi, past tense of lemja to beat; akin to lame 1
Origin of lam2
1885–90; special use of lam 1. Compare beat it! be off!
Origin of lām3
From Arabic; see origin at lambda
Explanation
The verb lam has two meanings: to hit or to run away. If you see a bully making little kids cry, you may be tempted to lam him in the nose and then lam before he can retaliate. The British slang meaning of lam, "hit or beat," is the oldest one, dating from the 16th century. It stems from an Old Norse root that means "to beat" or "to make lame." The newer, North American definition, "escape," can also be used as a noun: "After he stole his cousin's car he went on the lam." Experts trace this meaning back to slang used by pickpockets.
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.
See Examples For:
On the lam in Texas: Gracie the giraffe.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 25, 2026
The suspected leaker is believed to be a Chinese national who has moved back to China and is now on the lam, South Korean officials say.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 16, 2025
They went on the lam to Chicago, Florida, and Arizona, and points in between.
From Slate ● Dec. 18, 2024
What follows are musical snapshots of an artist, who on the lam from himself, hones a style that will forever change the landscape of modern music.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 4, 2024
These are other painters, on the lam from irate landlords or between odd jobs.
From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood
Lam acknowledged that every administration has the leeway to decide what crimes to prioritize.
From Salon ● Sep. 26, 2026
Carrie Lam, who was the chief executive from 2017 to 2022, said Tung's leadership made "a historic contribution with lasting benefits".
From BBC ● Sep. 9, 2026
Who is To Lam, the ex-cop who wants to revamp Vietnam's success story?
From BBC ● Aug. 23, 2026
“Southern California is such an important cultural destination and a big place of cultural production,” said CalArts dean Steven Lam.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026
“Not just land but the Lam Sing Refugee Camp,” the captain says confidently.
From "First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers" by Loung Ung
How deeply, from this point of view, the loss of the king was felt, at the time when that which is here merely the ideal present became the real present, is seen from Lam. iv.
From Christology of the Old Testament: And a Commentary on the Messianic Predictions, Vol. 1 by Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg
And concerning that which is supernal it is written, Lam. ii.
From Hebrew Literature by Epiphanius Wilson
In one collection of these shells, there were some valves of the Venus sinuosa, Lam., the same species found with the Mactra on the banks of the Uruguay.
From Geological Observations on South America by Charles Darwin
All that they can do in such a subject is, to see vain and foolish things, and not to discover the land's iniquity, but to see false burdens, and causes of banishment, Lam. ii.
From A Hind Let Loose Or, An Historical Representation of the Testimonies of the Church of Scotland for the Interest of Christ. With the True State Thereof in All Its Periods by Alexander Shields
It is good for a man to bear this yoke in his youth, Lam. iii.
From The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning by Hugh Binning
The diversion which enthralls him most is golf, and once golf awarded him its most coveted prize: four months ago he lammed out a hole in one.
From Time Magazine Archive
But before a damage suit could be prosecuted, the spiritual leader of 20 million Ismali Moslems lammed out of town.
From Time Magazine Archive
Last week he lammed out for good, dying at 86 on his upstate New York farm.
From Time Magazine Archive
Elia Kazan was casting Inge's new Broadway production, The Dark at the Top of the Stairs, and when Tuesday Weld suddenly lammed for Hollywood, Sandy became understudy for two roles.
From Time Magazine Archive
Like kingpins, one steel tier lammed into another, then they all crashed to the floor with a sound as of the roof falling.
From "Black Boy" by Richard Wright
You had to keep lamming and maybe you never got a chance to enjoy it.
From Hooded Detective, Volume III No. 2, January, 1942 by Various
I don’t blame you, now, for lamming me over the ear like you done.
From The Mesa Trail by H. Bedford-Jones
"You went to Joe Pepper's room for the purpose of lamming him?" repeated old Mr. King, darting out of his chair.
From Five Little Peppers Grown Up by Margaret Sidney
I thinks that lamming is about due now.
From Danny's Own Story by Don Marquis
Shinners, scalpers, and tweaks are good too—jolly good!… but of course all this comes after lamming and tunding….
From Snake and Sword A Novel by Percival Christopher Wren
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.
