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Run off meaning

Run off means to leave a place or person suddenly, often without saying why. It can also mean to print copies of something quickly.

Check yourself: 3 questionsAll 8 phrasal verbs with run

run off

run off · ran · run · running

B2No object+2 more meanings

The kids ran off to play as soon as we arrived.

Run off meanings and examples

3 meanings, each with its own CEFR level. A level marked ~ is our estimate: Oxford and Cambridge give none for that meaning.

  1. 1leave a place or person suddenly, often without saying why
  2. 2print copies of something quickly
  3. 3flow off a surface, like rain from a roof
  1. 1

    Leave a place or person suddenly, often without saying why

    run off

    B2No object

    • The kids ran off to play as soon as we arrived.
    • Don’t run off! I need to talk to you.
    • Someone ran off with my umbrella at the café.
  2. 2

    Print copies of something quickly

    run something off

    C1Separable

    • Could you run off twenty copies of this page?
    • I’ll run them off on the office printer.
    • She ran off a few flyers for the bake sale.
  3. 3

    Flow off a surface, like rain from a roof

    run off

    C1No object

    • The rain runs off the roof into the garden.
    • Water ran off the hills and flooded the road.
    • Wipe the table so the juice doesn’t run off the edge.
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Is run off separable?

When run off means leave suddenly, it has no object. Use with for what or who you take: He ran off with the money.

When run off means print copies, it is separable: run off the tickets, run them off. Run off with someone can also mean leave your partner for a new one.

Verb tenses for run off

PresentI run off · she runs off
Pastran off
Present perfecthave run off
-ing formrunning off

Common mistakes with run off

What learners often say, and what to say instead.

  • Wrong: The dog ran off the ball.

    Right: The dog ran off with the ball.

    To say what was taken, add with.

  • Wrong: He runned off before we could stop him.

    Right: He ran off before we could stop him.

    The past of run is ran.

  • Wrong: Can you run off it for me? Ten copies.

    Right: Can you run it off for me? Ten copies.

    When it means print, a pronoun goes between run and off.

Synonyms and opposites of run off

Words close to it, and words that mean the opposite.

Similar

Opposite

Run off quiz

Three quick questions. Pick an answer to see if it is right and why.

  1. 1The thief grabbed her bag and ___ down the street.

  2. 2Choose the right sentence.

  3. 3At work your manager says, “Please run off 30 copies of the agenda.” What should you do?

More phrasal verbs with run

All phrasal verbs with run, by level, with an exercise

8 phrasal verbs start with run. Test yourself on all of them in a few minutes.

Test yourself on runTake the full test

Run off FAQ

Questions people ask about run off.

What does run off with mean?

It means leave and take something or someone with you. The cat ran off with my sandwich. It can also mean leave your partner for someone else.

Run off vs run away: what is the difference?

They are close. Run away stresses escaping: run away from danger. Run off is more casual and often just means leave quickly.

What is runoff?

Runoff, one word, is rain water that flows over the ground into rivers. In US politics, a runoff is a second vote between the top two people.

Use run off in real conversations

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