on the run
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In rapid retreat; also, attempting to escape from pursuers. For example, The guerrillas were on the run after the ambush, or The burglars were on the run from the police. [Early 1800s]
Hurrying from place to place, as in The company officers were always on the run from New York to Los Angeles and back. [Late 1800s]
QUIZ
QUIZ YOURSELF ON "WAS" VS. "WERE"!
Were you ready for a quiz on this topic? Well, here it is! See how well you can differentiate between the uses of "was" vs. "were" in this quiz.
Question 1 of 7
“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.
Words nearby on the run
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.