# run off

CEFR B1 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/run-off
Updated: 2026-10-22

## Definition

to leave a place or person suddenly, often to escape or avoid a situation.

For teachers: to depart suddenly or secretly, often to evade a responsibility or situation; functions as an intransitive phrasal verb in this sense.

## Examples

- The dog runs off if you leave the gate open.
- When the alarm started ringing, the teenagers got scared and decided to run off into the woods.
- The suspect managed to run off into the dense urban crowd before the officers could establish a secure perimeter.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He runned off when he saw the police." but "He ran off when he saw the police." — the past tense of 'run' is irregular ('ran'), not 'runned'.

## Usage notes

- usually describes a sudden departure without warning or permission.
- Teaching tip: contrast with 'run away', which often implies a more permanent or long-distance escape, whereas 'run off' can just mean leaving a specific spot quickly.

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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.