Run away Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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run away

[ˈrʌn əˈweɪ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

escape quickly

To leave a place quickly in order to escape from a dangerous or unpleasant situation. It can also refer to leaving a place without permission or in a secretive manner.

Synonyms

abscond, escape, flee.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
run away	Typically used in casual, everyday conversations to describe someone leaving a place or situation suddenly, often to avoid trouble or because they are scared. Generally used for people rather than objects. The child decided to run away from home. She had to run away when she saw the bear.
flee	Used to describe quickly leaving a situation, especially dangerous or violent ones. Often implies urgency and fear. Civilians had to flee the war-torn city. He decided to flee when he saw the police approaching.
escape	Commonly used in various contexts to indicate breaking free from confinement or avoiding a dangerous or undesirable situation. It can refer to people, animals, or abstract situations. The prisoners managed to escape from jail. She tried to escape the stress of city life by moving to the countryside.
abscond	Often used in legal or formal contexts to describe someone leaving secretly and taking something or avoiding legal consequences. It implies a sense of wrongdoing or evasion. The accountant absconded with the company's funds. He absconded from bail and was never seen again.

Examples of usage

He decided to run away from home because he couldn't stand living with his parents anymore.
The prisoner managed to run away from the guards during the chaos.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

abandon

To leave someone or something behind, often without warning or explanation.

Synonyms

desert, forsake, leave behind.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
run away	This is used when someone quickly escapes from a place or situation, often because they are scared or in danger. It usually implies urgency and a desire to avoid a bad outcome. The child decided to run away from home after the argument. She had to run away from the angry dog.
desert	This term typically refers to abandoning people, places, or responsibilities, often in a way that is considered disloyal or irresponsible. The soldiers were court-martialed for deserting their posts. He deserted his family when they needed him the most.
forsake	This word is used for leaving someone or something permanently, often after making a deliberate decision. It can be dramatic and may imply a breach of trust or loyalty. I can't believe he would forsake his best friend in times of trouble. She had to forsake her dreams to take care of her family.
leave behind	This is used when someone departs from a place or situation and does not take someone or something with them. It often suggests neglect or something left unintentionally. He left behind a note explaining his sudden departure. Don't leave any valuables behind when you leave the hotel.

Examples of usage

She felt abandoned when her best friend suddenly ran away with her boyfriend.
The company faced financial difficulties and the CEO decided to run away from his responsibilities.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

The instinct to run away is a survival mechanism known as the 'fight or flight' response.
People may run away mentally from problems, often termed as 'avoidance behavior,' indicating a need to escape emotional distress.
In anxiety disorders, individuals might feel an overwhelming urge to run away from situations that trigger fear or panic.

Literature

Runaway characters are frequent in stories, symbolizing a quest for freedom or a desire to escape oppression, such as in 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn'.
In folklore, tales of people running away often highlight themes of adventure and self-discovery.
The notion of running away has been depicted in classic children’s literature, portraying it as an act of bravery or rebellion.

Pop Culture

Many movies, such as ‘The Wizard of Oz’, feature characters who run away to find adventure but often discover deeper life lessons.
Music often reflects the theme of running away, with various artists capturing feelings of escapism or longing in their lyrics.
In video games, the act of running away can be used as a strategic move to avoid defeat or regroup.

Historical Context

Throughout history, individuals have run away to escape oppression, such as slaves fleeing to freedom on the Underground Railroad.
In times of war, civilians often ran away from conflict zones to seek safety in other regions or countries.
During the Great Migration, many African Americans ran away from the South to find better opportunities in northern cities.

Origin of 'run away'

Main points about word origin

The phrase 'run away' originates from the Old English 'yrnan' meaning to run or flee.
It combines ‘run’, which has Germanic roots, with ‘away’, from the Old English 'awa', meaning 'from this place'.
The idea of fleeing has existed in literature since ancient times, often associated with escape from danger.

The phrase 'run away' has been in use since the 14th century. Originally, it referred to physically running away from a location. Over time, the term has evolved to encompass not only physical escape but also emotional detachment and abandonment. The concept of running away is deeply rooted in human nature, reflecting the instinct to flee from danger or unpleasant situations.