Phrase guide

run off

verb · 17 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To flee or depart quickly.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • Near-synonym: run away
  • Don't run off before the end of the event.
  • He ran off to France leaving her with all the debts and three children to bring up.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: run away

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To make photocopies, or print.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • Near-synonyms: print off, print out
  • Please run off a couple dozen more flyers to pass out.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: print off, print out

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To write something quickly.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • Near-synonyms: dash off, whip up
  • Shakespeare could run off a play in just a couple of days.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: dash off, whip up

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

To pour or spill off or over.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • They kept a barrel to store rainwater that has run off the roof.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

verb

Meaning 5

To cause to flow away.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • to run off a charge of molten metal from a furnace

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

6

verb

Meaning 6

To chase someone away.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • Near-synonyms: chase off, chase away, scare off
  • If anyone comes into this field, the bull will soon run them off.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: chase off, chase away, scare off

Antonyms: none provided

7

verb

Meaning 7

To operate by a particular energy or fuel source.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • This radio runs off batteries.
  • This radio runs off of batteries.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

8

verb

Meaning 8

To have diarrhea.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: runs

Antonyms: none provided

9

verb

Meaning 9

To recite, especially items on a list.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • Near-synonyms: check off, tick off, rattle off, run down
  • He ran off the checklist one by one but still missed a couple of items.
  • He ran off the items one by one but still missed a couple.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: check off, tick off, rattle off, run down

Antonyms: none provided

10

verb

Meaning 10

To steal (horses).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • Near-synonym: make off with
  • He ran off a pony from the ranch.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: make off with

Antonyms: none provided

11

verb

Meaning 11

decide (a contest or competition) by a runoff

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: compete, vie, contend

12

verb

Meaning 12

reproduce by xerography

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: photocopy, xerox

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: reproduce

Narrower terms: microcopy, photostat

13

verb

Meaning 13

force to go away; used both with concrete and metaphoric meanings

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • Drive away potential burglars
  • drive away bad thoughts
  • dispel doubts
  • The supermarket had to turn back many disappointed customers

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: chase away, drive out, turn back, drive away, dispel, drive off

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: move, displace

Narrower terms: frighten, fire, clear the air, banish, shoo off, shoo, shoo away

14

verb

Meaning 14

leave suddenly and as if in a hurry

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The listeners bolted when he discussed his strange ideas
  • When she started to tell silly stories, I ran out

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: run out, bolt, bolt out, beetle off

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: leave, go forth, go away

15

verb

Meaning 15

run off as waste

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The water wastes back into the ocean

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: waste

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: run, flow, feed, course

16

verb

Meaning 16

run away; usually includes taking something or somebody along

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The thief made off with our silver
  • the accountant absconded with the cash from the safe

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: abscond, bolt, absquatulate, decamp, go off, make off

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: flee, fly, take flight

Narrower terms: levant

17

verb

Meaning 17

run away secretly with one's beloved

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The young couple eloped and got married in Las Vegas

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: elope

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: flee, fly, take flight

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

9 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Ancient Greek: ἀποτρέχω (apotrékhō) — to leave or depart quickly
  • Irish: teith — to leave or depart quickly
  • Russian: убега́ть (ubegátʹ) — to leave or depart quickly
  • Russian: убежа́ть (ubežátʹ) — to leave or depart quickly
  • Russian: удира́ть (udirátʹ) — to leave or depart quickly
  • Russian: удра́ть (udrátʹ) — to leave or depart quickly
  • Russian: прогоня́ть (progonjátʹ) — to chase someone away
  • Russian: прогна́ть (prognátʹ) — to chase someone away
  • Spanish: echar — to chase someone away