1
general::
Phrase(s): run something off
1. to get rid of something, such as fat or energy, by running. • The little boys are very excited. Send them outside to run it off. • They need to run off their energy. 2. to duplicate something, using a mechanical duplicating machine. • If the master copy is ready, I will run some other copies off. • I’ll run off some more copies., Phrase(s): run off something
to drive or travel off something, such as rails, tracks, a road, etc. • The train ran off its rails and piled up in a cornfield. • We almost ran off the road during the storm., Phrase(s): run off (with someone)
to run away with someone, as in an elopement. • Tom ran off with Ann. • Tom and Ann ran off and got married., Phrase(s): run someone or something off (of) something [and] run someone or something off
to drive someone or something off something. (Of is usually retained before pronouns.) • Go out and run those dogs off the lawn. • Go run off the dogs from the lawn., Phrase(s): run off
1. to flee. • The children rang our doorbell and then ran off. • They ran off as fast as they could. 2. to have diarrhea. • He said he was running off all night. • One of the children was running off and had to stay home from school. 3. [for a fluid] to drain away from a flat area. • By noon, all the rainwater had run off the playground.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
2
general::
1. Escape; see RUN AWAY, def. 2. 2. Flow off, drain, as in By noon all the water had run off the driveway. [Early 1700s] 3. Print, duplicate, or copy, as in We ran off 200 copies of the budget. [Late 1800s] 4. Decide a contest or competition, as in The last two events will be run off on Tuesday. [Late 1800s] 5. Also, run someone out. Force or drive someone away, as in The security guard ran off the trespassers, or They ran him out of town. [Early 1700s] 6. Produce or perform quickly and easily, as in After years of practice, he could run off a sermon in a couple of hours. [Late 1600s]
American Heritage Idioms