Idiom
do a runner
Meanings
To run away suddenly in order to escape trouble, punishment, or being caught.
To leave a place quickly to avoid paying a bill or settling a debt, especially from a restaurant or hotel.
Definition
To do a runner means to run away suddenly to avoid being caught or paying.
To do a runner means to leave quickly and secretly, usually to escape trouble or avoid responsibility. It often refers to someone who runs off to avoid paying a bill or to avoid being arrested. The phrase is common in informal British English but is understood more widely.
Examples
- When the waiter brought the check, they did a runner.
- The suspect did a runner as soon as the police arrived.
- He did a runner from the hotel without paying for two nights.
- If you do a runner, you’ll only make the situation worse.
More at B2 level
- Bob's your uncle Used to say that something will be easy or will happen exactly as expected after a simple step.
- touch base To touch base means to briefly contact someone to share a quick update or confirm plans.
- ballpark figure A ballpark figure is an approximate number or estimate, not an exact one.
- take the mickey To take the mickey means to tease someone or make fun of them in a not-too-serious way.
- cheap as chips Very cheap; costing very little money.
More idiom (verb phrase)s
- touch base To touch base means to briefly contact someone to share a quick update or confirm plans.
- take the mickey To take the mickey means to tease someone or make fun of them in a not-too-serious way.
- drop the ball To drop the ball means to make a mistake or fail to do something important that you were responsibl…
- have a chinwag To have a chinwag means to have a friendly, informal chat with someone.
- face the music To accept and deal with the unpleasant consequences of your actions or a difficult situation.