What Does “Run away from sth” Mean?
“Run away from sth” means to escape or leave a situation or place because it is difficult, dangerous, or unpleasant.
Introduction
The phrasal verb “run away from sth” is commonly used in English to describe the action of escaping or avoiding something. It can refer to physically leaving a place or avoiding a problem or responsibility. Understanding the “run away from sth meaning” helps you express situations where someone chooses to leave or avoid something difficult. This phrase is useful in everyday conversations, stories, and writing, making it an important part of your English vocabulary.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: run away from sth (run away from something)
- Type: Intransitive (with preposition)
- Level: A2–B2
- Short meaning: To escape or leave something difficult or unpleasant
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Run away from sth” is a phrasal verb with a preposition. It is inseparable, meaning you cannot separate “run away” and the preposition “from”. The object (sth) always comes after “from”.
Structure pattern:
- Subject + run away from + something
- Example: She ran away from the noise.
How to Use Run away from sth?
Use “run away from sth” when talking about physically escaping a place or avoiding a situation or responsibility. It often implies fear, avoidance, or unwillingness to face something. It can be used in past, present, or future tenses by changing the verb form (“runs away,” “ran away,” “will run away”).
Examples
People often run away from problems instead of solving them. Here are some examples of “run away from sth in a sentence”:
- The child ran away from the scary dog.
- He tried to run away from his duties at work.
- She ran away from the argument because she didn’t want to fight.
- Many animals run away from danger to stay safe.
- Don’t run away from your problems; face them bravely.
Common Mistakes
Sometimes learners confuse the position of “from” or the object. Here are common mistakes:
- Incorrect: She ran away the problem.
- Correct: She ran away from the problem.
- Incorrect: He runs away it.
- Correct: He runs away from it.
Remember, always include “from” before the object.
Differences / Synonyms
“Run away from sth” is similar to phrases like “escape from” or “avoid.” However, “run away” often implies physically leaving quickly, while “avoid” can mean not facing something mentally or emotionally. “Escape” is more formal and can apply to both physical and abstract situations.
- Run away from sth: physically or mentally leaving something unpleasant
- Escape from sth: successfully getting away from danger or a place
- Avoid sth: not facing or dealing with something
Common Collocations
It is helpful to know common objects used with “run away from”. These objects often relate to danger, problems, or unpleasant situations:
- Danger: physical threat or harm
- Problem: difficult situation or challenge
- Responsibility: duties or tasks someone should do
- Fear: unpleasant emotion caused by danger
- Home: a place someone leaves suddenly
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of run away from sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using “run away from sth”:
Anna: Why did you leave the meeting early?
Tom: Honestly, I wanted to run away from the stressful questions.
Anna: I understand. Sometimes it’s hard to face tough situations.
Practice
Fill in the blank with the correct form of “run away from sth”:
- When the fire alarm rang, everyone _______ from the building quickly.
- She doesn’t like to _______ from her problems; she faces them bravely.
- He wanted to _______ from his responsibilities at work.
FAQ
- What does “run away from sth” mean?
It means to escape or avoid something difficult or dangerous. - Is “run away from” separable?
No, you cannot separate “run away” and “from”. - Can I use “run away from” for problems?
Yes, it can be used for physical or mental escape. - What is the difference between “run away from” and “escape from”?
“Run away from” often implies quick physical leaving, while “escape from” can be formal and broader. - Is “run away from” formal or informal?
It is common in both informal and neutral contexts.
