Advertisement

on the run

  1. 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]

  2. 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]



Discover More

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.

“To the thieves who are on the run right now, know that you won’t escape,” Tano’s voice asserts over the alarm.

Read more on Literature

I was the one who bumped right into Ama, and who got captured by Tano—forcing Ama to leave her Council of the Earth duties behind and go on the run with me.

Read more on Literature

Penelope and the Incorrigibles heard about their parents’ years in remote alpine villages, on the run from danger with baby Penelope in tow.

Read more on Literature

“They are childlike, yet graceful, depicting animals on the run. Perhaps these antelopes are fleeing a hunter. Why, this could well be a significant archeological discovery! These paintings may have been made here long ago, by primitive peoples, long before there even was an England. . . .”

Read more on Literature

She demonstrated her skill and courage while on the run from Nazi snipers in the hinterlands of Croatia and Slovenia.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


on the ropeson the safe side