run away

leave a place quickly to escape

What does "run away" mean?

To run away means to leave a place or person quickly because you are scared, in danger, or want to escape. You can use it in a literal sense — for example, when someone physically flees from a threatening situation — or in a figurative sense, meaning you avoid something difficult like a problem or a responsibility. It always describes moving away from something, so you will often see it followed by 'from'. This phrasal verb is very common in stories, news, and everyday conversation. It is a neutral expression that works in both speaking and writing.

Examples

The dog got scared by the fireworks and ran away into the forest.
You can't keep running away from your problems — you have to face them eventually.
When she was sixteen, she ran away from home and moved to the city.

How to use it

run away (no object)

Use this pattern when the context already makes it clear what someone is fleeing from, or when no specific source of danger needs to be named.

She screamed and ran away.

run away from + place/person/thing

Add 'from' to name the specific place, person, or situation someone is escaping.

The children ran away from the loud noise at the festival.

run away from + abstract noun

Use this figurative pattern when someone is avoiding a difficult feeling, problem, or responsibility rather than physically fleeing.

You can't run away from your problems forever.

want to / try to / tempted to + run away

Use 'run away' after modal verbs or expressions like 'want to' and 'try to' to describe the desire or attempt to escape.

Whenever things get difficult at work, he feels tempted to just run away.

run away + adverb (e.g. together, screaming, quickly)

Adverbs can follow 'run away' to add detail about how or with whom someone flees.

The two friends decided to run away together and start a new life in another city.

Common Collocations

run away from homerun away from the policerun away from problemsrun away togetherrun away from dangerrun away screaming

Common Mistakes

Treating it as a separable verb

'Run away' has no direct object, so you cannot put a noun or pronoun between 'run' and 'away'. You also cannot use it to act on something directly.

✗ He tried to run away his fears.

✓ He tried to run away from his fears.

Confusing 'run away' with 'run away with'

'Run away' means to flee on your own, while 'run away with' means to take someone or something along, or to be carried away by an idea. These are two different expressions, so check which one fits your meaning.

✗ Don't let your imagination run away.

✓ Don't let your imagination run away with you.

Confusing the verb phrase with the noun 'runaway'

'Run away' (two words) is a phrasal verb meaning to flee. 'Runaway' (one word) is a noun or adjective — for example, 'a runaway' is a person who has fled. Don't mix up the spelling when you switch between the verb and the noun.

✗ He became a run away after leaving home at fifteen.

✓ He became a runaway after leaving home at fifteen. / He ran away from home at fifteen.

Usage

This phrasal verb works in both literal contexts (physically fleeing) and figurative ones (avoiding problems or responsibilities), and both uses are common and natural in everyday English. It is neutral in register and used in speaking and writing equally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can 'run away' be used to talk about avoiding feelings or problems, or is it only for physically running?

Both uses are correct and very common. The figurative meaning — avoiding something difficult like stress, emotions, or responsibility — is used just as often as the literal one. For example, 'She keeps running away from difficult conversations' is completely natural.

Do I always need to say 'from' after 'run away'?

No, 'from' is optional. If the context is already clear, you can simply say 'she ran away' without adding 'from' anything. However, if you want to name what someone is fleeing, you need 'from': 'she ran away from the dog'.

What is the difference between 'runaway' (one word) and 'run away' (two words)?

'Run away' is a phrasal verb meaning to flee: 'The cat ran away.' 'Runaway' written as one word is a noun (a person who has fled home) or an adjective (meaning out of control, as in 'a runaway train'). Make sure to use two words when you mean the verb.

Can I say 'run away' in the imperative, like a command?

Yes, the imperative is very natural with 'run away', especially in storytelling or urgent situations. For example: 'Run away! It's not safe here!' It is a common and dramatic way to tell someone to flee.

Ready to practise?

Practise 1,000+ English phrasal verbs with interactive gap-fill exercises.

Start Practising →