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run off

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The phrase "run off" is a versatile English verb phrase with several meanings and uses. Here’s a simple explanation to help you understand it better:

Basic Meanings:

  1. To Leave Quickly: When someone "runs off," it often means they leave a place suddenly or in a hurry. For example, "The children ran off to play in the park."

  2. To Reproduce: In a more technical sense, "run off" can mean to make copies of something, like documents or pictures, usually using a printer or copier. For example, "I need to run off a few copies of the report for the meeting."

  3. To Escape: Sometimes, it means to escape or elope with someone, often in a secretive way. For example, "They decided to run off together and get married in Las Vegas."

  4. To Waste or Discharge: It can also mean that something is wasted or flows away, such as water. For instance, "The rainwater runs off into the ocean."

Usage Instructions:
  • "Run off" can be used in both formal and informal situations, depending on the context.
  • It is often used in conversation, storytelling, and writing when describing actions that involve leaving quickly, making copies, or escaping.
Examples:
  • Leaving Quickly: "When the bell rang, all the students ran off to their next class."
  • Making Copies: "I need to run off some flyers for the event."
  • Escaping: "The couple ran off to start a new life together."
  • Wasting Water: "The excess water from the garden runs off into the street."
Advanced Usage:
  • You might also encounter "run off" in more complex contexts, such as:
    • In competitions: "If there’s a tie in the election, they will have to run off to determine the winner."
    • In thoughts or emotions: "She tried to run off her worries by going for a long walk."
Word Variants:
  • Noun Form: "Runoff" refers to the process of water flowing away, often used in environmental contexts.
  • Phrasal Variants: You might see "run away" (leave quickly) or "run off with" (take something secretly).
Different Meanings (Contextual):
  • The meaning of "run off" can change depending on the context, so it's essential to pay attention to how it is used in sentences.
Synonyms:
  • Leave quickly: "bolt," "dash."
  • Make copies: "reproduce," "duplicate."
  • Escape: "elude," "abscond."
Idioms and Related Phrasal Verbs:
  • "Run away": To leave a place or situation quickly, often to escape from something.
  • "Run off with": To take something away secretly or elope with someone.
  • "Run down": To lose energy or power; it can also mean to speak badly about someone.
Verb
  1. decide (a contest or competition) by a runoff
  2. reproduce by xerography
  3. run off as waste
    • The water wastes back into the ocean
  4. run away secretly with one's beloved
    • The young couple eloped and got married in Las Vegas
  5. force to go away; used both with concrete and metaphoric meanings
    • Drive away potential burglars
    • drive away bad thoughts
    • dispel doubts
    • The supermarket had to turn back many disappointed customers
  6. leave suddenly and as if in a hurry
    • The listeners bolted when he discussed his strange ideas
    • When she started to tell silly stories, I ran out
  7. run away; usually includes taking something or somebody along
    • The thief made off with our silver
    • the accountant absconded with the cash from the safe

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