Word
lam
US/ˈɫæm/
UK/lˈæm/
Definitions
01escaping from the law
n. the act of running away or hiding, usually from the police.
n. a flight or escape, typically from legal authorities or a prison; most commonly used in the idiomatic phrase 'on the lam'.
“The bank robber has been on the lam for three weeks now.”
“After the prison break, the fugitives remained on the lam for several months, successfully evading multiple state-wide manhunts.”
Slang · Informal
Usage
Almost exclusively used in the prepositional phrase 'on the lam'.
Teaching tip
This is a classic American noir or 'gangster' term; while still understood, it sounds slightly dated or cinematic to modern ears.
03to run away
v. to run away quickly, especially to avoid getting caught.
v. to flee or depart hastily; an intransitive verb often associated with criminal activity.
“As soon as they heard the sirens, the vandals decided to lam.”
“The suspects were forced to lam through the back alley when the police blockade appeared at the front of the building.”
Slang · Archaic
Usage
Intransitive; does not take a direct object.
Teaching tip
The verb form is much rarer than the noun phrase 'on the lam' and may sound very old-fashioned to native speakers.
Real-World Examples
“According to Charlotte, who has adapted it for audio: “It imagines my last few hours on the lam having run away from home and school when I was 14 in 1978.” “The show Hunted had us all imagining how we would go on the lam, evading the attention of the surveillance state.” Idioms
take it on the lam — To escape.