🚨 A quick escape 🏃 To run away 👊 To hit hard

to lam

9.9

To run away quickly to avoid being caught by the police

verb
/læm/

Slang

: darse a la fuga

The suspect lammed out the back door as soon as the officers arrived.

Examples

The thieves decided to lam when they heard the police sirens approaching.
If you get caught stealing, you should lam before anyone notices.
He decided to lam after seeing the police.
The suspect lammed down the alley.
The thieves decided to lam when they heard the police sirens approaching.
If you get caught stealing, you should lam before anyone notices.
The suspect lammed out the back door as soon as the officers arrived.

Synonyms

to run

vsto lam

∞ 1.0

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

in this key sense the focus is on avoiding arrest

to escape

vsto lam

∞ 1.0

To get away from a place where you are kept or are in danger

often implies running to avoid arrest or being caught

to run away

vsto lam

550 1.6

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

stresses fleeing specifically to avoid capture by authorities

to flee

vsto lam

331 2.4

To run away from a place because it is dangerous

in this key sense the aim is avoiding arrest or capture

to run off

vsto lam

Informal

260 3.7

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

in contrast this key sense focuses on escape from police

to bolt

vsto lam

69 2.3

To run away suddenly to escape danger

is more narrowly about escaping police or being caught

to make a run for it

vsto lam

Informal

36 5.3

To try to escape quickly, often by running

is the general act of running away to avoid arrest

to run for one's life

vsto lam

Informal

25 3.9

Get away very quickly to avoid being hurt

often implies urgent flight specifically to avoid capture

to hightail it

vsto lam

Informal

16 8.4

To leave a place quickly to avoid trouble or danger

is used especially for escaping pursuit by law enforcement

to fly the coop

vsto lam

Informal

12 7.9

To leave a place suddenly without permission

is usually about fleeing to avoid being caught by police

to abscond

vsto lam

Formal

11 8.5

To leave quickly and secretly with money or things to avoid being caught

is the wider act of running away quickly to avoid capture

to fled the scene

vsto lam

11 4.4

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

is the broader act of fleeing to avoid capture in general

to turn tail

vsto lam

7 7.0

To run away quickly because you are afraid

is more about fleeing specifically to avoid capture

to break away

vsto lam

5 3.6

To escape suddenly from control, capture, or a group

focuses more on avoiding capture by law enforcement

to high-tail

vsto lam

Informal

5 8.0

To leave a place very quickly to avoid danger or trouble

leans toward escaping pursuit or arrest specifically

to head for the hills

vsto lam

Informal

4 7.8

To run away quickly to escape danger

emphasizes escape specifically from law enforcement pursuit

to bunk

vsto lam

2 9.6

To leave without paying, often on a bus or train

focuses on rapid escape specifically from legal capture

to scat

vsto lam

Archaic

1 9.1

Leave quickly, often because you are scared

is closer when the aim is to escape police pursuit

to scarper

vsto lam

1 9.7

To run away quickly to avoid trouble

is similar but stresses escaping pursuit by authorities

to take to one's heels

vsto lam

Informal

1 6.1

Run away quickly to escape danger or trouble

is especially used when avoiding capture by pursuing forces

to take to the woods

vsto lam

Informal

8.6

Run quickly into the woods to escape danger

is aimed specifically at avoiding arrest or capture

Antonyms

to stay

∞ 1.0

To remain in one place and not leave

to confront

359 4.4

Face a difficult problem or fear directly and bravely

Idioms

on the lam

Slang

20 9.9

Hiding from the police or other officials

Phrasal Verbs

to lam into

Informal

9.9

To hit someone or something violently, often by running into them

How Fast

to bolt

69 2.3

to lam

Slang

9.9

to flee

331 2.4

to escape

∞ 1.0

to run away

550 1.6

to slip away

32 3.4

to leave

∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

lam infinitive

lammed past

lammed past participle

lamming present participle

lams third person singular

Etymology

Lam meaning 'to run away' comes from old American slang found in the phrase 'on the lam', which means 'on the run'. So, to lam is to make a quick escape to avoid capture.