# run scared

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/run-scared
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To be in a state of fearful alarm.

## Examples

- The small dog runs scared whenever it hears loud thunder.
- The politician started to run scared after the latest polls showed his opponent gaining a significant lead.
- Faced with the sudden collapse of their financial empire, the executives began to run scared, desperately seeking an exit strategy before the authorities arrived.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.