What Does “Run off sth” Mean?
“Run off sth” means to quickly leave a place because of something or to make a copy of something, especially by printing or writing it out.
Introduction
The phrasal verb “run off sth” has multiple uses in English. It can mean to leave somewhere suddenly because of a reason, or it can refer to producing copies of documents, photos, or other materials. Understanding the “Run off sth meaning” helps learners use it correctly in conversations and writing. This phrase is common in both casual and formal English, making it important to grasp its different contexts.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: run off something
- Type: transitive and intransitive (depending on meaning)
- Level: B1
- Short meaning: to leave quickly or to make copies of something
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Run off” can be separable or inseparable depending on the use:
- Leave quickly: Intransitive and inseparable. Example: “He ran off.”
- Make copies: Transitive and separable. “Run off” + object. Example: “She ran off the reports.”
Patterns:
- run off + something (print/copy)
- run off (leave suddenly)
How to Use Run off sth?
Use “run off sth” when talking about quickly leaving a place because of a reason. For example, “He ran off after the argument.” Also, use it when referring to printing or copying documents, photos, or papers. For instance, “I need to run off 50 copies of this form.”
Examples
Here are some examples showing “run off sth in a sentence” to help you understand better:
- After hearing the news, she ran off in tears.
- The office ran off several copies of the contract for the meeting.
- He ran off without saying goodbye.
- Can you run off some extra copies of the report?
- The children ran off to play in the park.
Common Mistakes
People often confuse “run off” with similar verbs or misuse it in sentences. Here are some examples:
- Incorrect: I will run off to the store later. (Use “run off” only if leaving suddenly.)
- Correct: I ran off when I heard the noise.
- Incorrect: She run off copies of the document. (Wrong tense)
- Correct: She ran off copies of the document.
Differences / Synonyms
“Run off sth” is similar to a few other phrasal verbs but has distinct meanings:
- Run away: Emphasizes escaping or leaving secretly.
- Run out: Means to finish or use all of something.
- Print out: Specifically refers to producing a hard copy from a computer.
“Run off” when used as printing is more informal than “print out.”
Common Collocations
When using “run off,” certain objects are often included. Here are common collocations:
- Run off copies – make duplicates of documents
- Run off reports – produce printed reports
- Run off photos – print photographs
- Run off invoices – print billing documents
- Run off papers – print general documents
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of run off sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation showing how “run off sth” is used naturally:
Anna: Did you run off the meeting agenda?
John: Yes, I ran off 20 copies this morning.
Anna: Great! Also, where did Sarah go? She ran off without telling anyone.
Practice
Try to complete the sentences below with the correct form of “run off”:
- She ________ (run off) after hearing the bad news.
- Can you ________ (run off) some copies of the report for me?
- They ________ (run off) quickly when the alarm sounded.
- I need to ________ (run off) the invitations before tomorrow.
FAQ
- What does “run off sth” mean? It means to leave quickly or to make copies of something.
- Is “run off” separable? It is separable when referring to making copies but inseparable when meaning to leave suddenly.
- Can I use “run off” instead of “print out”? Yes, but “run off” is more informal and often used in casual settings.
- Is “run off” a common phrasal verb? Yes, it is widely used in both spoken and written English.
- What is the difference between “run off” and “run away”? “Run off” can mean to leave quickly or make copies, while “run away” means to escape or leave secretly.
