on the lam

1. Running away, especially from the police, as in He's always in some kind of trouble and perpetually on the lam. The origin of this slangy term of the 1800s is not known.

Example Sentences

The gang behind the Louvre heist was on the lam barely a week.

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Or, in this case, that Manchester — on the lam after escaping prison — ends up falling in love with Leigh and being embraced by her family and community.

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When House Democrats last walked out in 2021 to stop new state voter restrictions, lawmakers were on the lam for over a month before the caucus fractured and enough members returned to restore quorum.

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In summary, Charlie is a Las Vegas cocktail waitress who goes on the lam after she calls B.S. on the wrong person: her mobbed-up boss.

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What are the odds that Luke would randomly buy a salvaged droid that just so happened to be on the lam from his own daddy?

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Related Words

• elusive