run off meaning and examples

Meaning

• Run off is a phrasal verb with several meanings depending on context:

  1. To leave quickly, often suddenly or unexpectedly.
  2. To print or produce something quickly (e.g., documents, copies).
  3. To flow away (e.g., water after rain).
  4. To elope or escape with someone.
  5. To hold a replay or additional contest in sports/elections (AmE).

Grammar and Usage

• Verb type: Phrasal verb (intransitive or transitive depending on meaning).

• Patterns:

  • run off + with + person/object → elope or escape with something.
  • run off + copies/pages → produce quickly.
  • run off (no object) → leave suddenly, escape.
  • water run off → flow away.

Common Phrases

• Run off with someone – elope.
• Run off with something – steal or take quickly.
• Run off copies – make duplicate prints.
• Rainwater run off – water draining away.

Collocations

• run off copies
• run off with money
• run off the road
• rainwater run off
• run off together

Examples

1. He ran off before I could ask him a question.
2. The thief ran off with her handbag.
3. Could you run off ten more copies of this report?
4. After the heavy rain, water quickly ran off into the drains.
5. They secretly ran off together to get married.
6. The child ran off as soon as the teacher turned around.
7. We need to run off a few extra tickets for the event.
8. The car nearly ran off the road in the storm.

Synonyms or Related

• escape
• flee
• dash away
• elope
• duplicate (for printing context)

Antonym

• stay
• remain
• hold on to
• keep