to do the dash

9.3

To run away quickly to avoid being caught

phrasal verb

: salir corriendo

When the alarm went off, he decided to do the dash before anyone noticed.

Examples

He decided to do the dash when he saw the police.
She knew she had to do the dash if she wanted to avoid getting caught.
They planned to do the dash as soon as the distraction started.
Why did you do the dash so suddenly?
She knew she had to do the dash when she heard the sirens approaching.
They quickly did the dash as soon as they saw the security guard coming.
When the fire alarm rang, everyone started to do the dash to exit the building.

Synonyms

to run

vsto do the dash

∞ 1.0

To move a boat fast in the same direction as the wind

is specific to leaving quickly to avoid danger or capture

to get out of here

vsto do the dash

Informal

∞ 3.0

Leave a place quickly or suddenly

is centered on escaping quickly rather than simple departure

to run away

vsto do the dash

550 1.6

To leave secretly and quickly to get away from danger or control

stresses rapid escape rather than merely leaving quietly

to fly

vsto do the dash

333 1.8

Pass very quickly, often used for time

is used when describing rapid escape rather than literal flying

to flee

vsto do the dash

331 2.4

To run away from a place because it is dangerous

focuses on fast departure specifically to escape danger

to take off

vsto do the dash

273 3.2

To leave a place quickly, often to travel somewhere else

is focused on escaping a place rapidly rather than travel

to run off

vsto do the dash

Informal

260 3.7

To leave a place or person suddenly, often without saying goodbye

highlights fast escape specifically from a place or situation

to run out

vsto do the dash

78 2.0

Leave a place suddenly, often to avoid someone or something

is used when the reason to leave is escaping trouble

to dash

vsto do the dash

73 1.0

To move very quickly to reach a place

is used specifically for escaping a place quickly

to bolt

vsto do the dash

69 2.3

To run away suddenly to escape danger

carries the same sudden escape idea but with idiomatic use

to make a run for it

vsto do the dash

Informal

36 5.3

To try to escape quickly, often by running

is about rapid flight from a place rather than the attempt itself

to run for one's life

vsto do the dash

Informal

25 3.9

Get away very quickly to avoid being hurt

is shorter and used for quick escapes, not literal life threats only

to rush off

vsto do the dash

20 3.8

Leave suddenly because you are in a hurry

is specifically used for quick escape rather than planned leaving

to hightail

vsto do the dash

Informal

18 8.3

To leave a place very quickly to escape danger or trouble

focuses on speedy escape from a risky situation

to hightail it

vsto do the dash

Informal

16 8.4

To leave a place quickly to avoid trouble or danger

is the same quick-escape idea in common speech

to skedaddle

vsto do the dash

Informal

14 9.3

To run away quickly because you are afraid

is used for quick escape generally, not only panic situations

to take flight

vsto do the dash

11 3.5

Leave quickly to escape danger, often by flying

is the everyday label for fleeing quickly from trouble

to fled the scene

vsto do the dash

11 4.4

Leave a place quickly to avoid being caught after causing or seeing trouble

is the general rapid-escape expression used in many contexts

to turn tail

vsto do the dash

7 7.0

To run away quickly because you are afraid

stresses fleeing fast from danger in a clear way

to run for the hills

vsto do the dash

Informal

7 5.6

To leave a place quickly to escape danger or trouble

is used generally for rapid escape from a situation

to get out of Dodge

vsto do the dash

Informal

7 9.2

Leave a place quickly to avoid trouble or danger

is the concise idea of rapid escape from a location

to bolt from

vsto do the dash

Informal

5 5.8

To leave a place suddenly and unexpectedly

stresses rapid escape from a situation rather than casual leaving

to bolt out

vsto do the dash

Informal

5 4.9

Leave a place suddenly and quickly because you feel scared

is the common expression for fleeing a place fast

to run out of town

vsto do the dash

5 6.6

Leave a place quickly because people are angry or you are in trouble

focuses on urgent escape from a place to avoid problems

to high-tail

vsto do the dash

Informal

5 8.0

To leave a place very quickly to avoid danger or trouble

is the general quick-escape idea phrased differently

to make tracks

vsto do the dash

Informal

5 7.2

Leave quickly to go somewhere or to avoid trouble

is specifically about fast leaving to escape rather than normal travel

to head for the hills

vsto do the dash

Informal

4 7.8

To run away quickly to escape danger

is the general phrase for leaving quickly to escape

to rush away

vsto do the dash

2 2.5

Leave a place quickly because you are in a hurry

focuses on rapid escape rather than calm departure

to beat feet

vsto do the dash

Slang

2 9.0

To leave quickly to escape or avoid something

focuses on fast escape from a place rather than casual leaving

to leg it

vsto do the dash

1 9.0

Move quickly on foot to escape or reach a place fast

is similar but the key stresses escape rather than just speed

to take to one's heels

vsto do the dash

Informal

1 6.1

Run away quickly to escape danger or trouble

is the general phrase for leaving quickly to escape

to beat a retreat

vsto do the dash

1 6.0

To leave a place quickly to avoid danger or trouble

is about fast leaving but the key is more everyday escape

to run a mile

vsto do the dash

Informal

1 7.1

Move away quickly to avoid something you are afraid of

is about quick escape from a place rather than mere avoidance

to take to the woods

vsto do the dash

Informal

8.6

Run quickly into the woods to escape danger

is about quick escape from a place or situation

to make a bolt

vsto do the dash

6.8

To run away quickly, usually because you are afraid

implies fleeing quickly to escape rather than planned travel

to bolt down

vsto do the dash

Informal

6.1

To run away quickly, usually because you are afraid

is about sudden escape rather than delayed departure

to run amain

vsto do the dash

Archaic

9.9

To move very fast on foot to get somewhere quickly

emphasizes escape speed specifically rather than general running

to take your hook

vsto do the dash

Archaic

9.9

Leave a place quickly because you are not welcome

is about fast escape rather than polite or planned departure

to go offski

vsto do the dash

Slang

9.9

To leave a place suddenly, usually to go somewhere else

is about fast escape specifically from a situation or place

Antonyms

to confront

359 4.4

Face a difficult problem or fear directly and bravely

to stay put

Informal

133 2.0

Remain in the same place without moving

How Quickly

to bolt

69 2.3

to flee

331 2.4

to do the dash

9.3

to run off

Informal

260 3.7

to escape

∞ 1.0

to walk away

632 3.5

Surface Forms

do the dash infinitive

did the dash past

done the dash past participle

doing the dash present participle

does the dash third person singular

Morphology

do + the + dash

The meaning 'to run away quickly' is directly inferable from combining 'do' (perform) with 'dash' (a quick run) — essentially 'perform a dash' = make a quick run/leave. This follows a transparent verb + noun composition and parallels common cross-linguistic patterns, so a B1 learner who knows the words should understand it.

Etymology

Do the dash comes from the verb dash, which means a short, quick run. So to do the dash is to make a sudden run away and it means 'to escape' or 'to run away' before someone catches you.