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Glite Dictionary
to make a run for it

to make a run for it

36 5.3
To try to escape quickly, often by running
  • phrasal verb
  • Informal
translation icon : echar a correr
  • As the alarm went off, we knew we had to make a run for it before anyone spotted us.
  • try to make a run for it
  • going to make a run for it
  • decide to make a run for it

After Peru's Congress impeached him, Castillo made a run for it.

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Examples

Synonyms

to run
vsto make a run for it
∞ 1.0

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

focuses specifically on escaping quickly under sudden dangerous conditions
to run away
vsto make a run for it
550 1.6

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

is similar but stresses an urgent, risk-driven escape attempt
to flee
vsto make a run for it
331 2.4

To run away from a place because it is dangerous

is the same idea with emphasis on a sudden escape attempt
to run off
vsto make a run for it
  • Informal
260 3.7

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

is similar but stresses escaping danger quickly rather than secrecy alone
to run out
vsto make a run for it
78 2.0

Leave a place suddenly, often to avoid someone or something

adds the sense of escaping from danger or a risky situation
to dash
vsto make a run for it
73 1.0

To move very quickly to reach a place

emphasizes escaping danger rather than simply moving fast
to bolt
vsto make a run for it
69 2.3

To run away suddenly to escape danger

adds the idea of a risky, hurried attempt to get away
to run for one's life
vsto make a run for it
  • Informal
25 3.9

Get away very quickly to avoid being hurt

is similar but can imply an especially risky escape attempt
to hightail
vsto make a run for it
  • Informal
18 8.3

To leave a place very quickly to escape danger or trouble

is similar but stresses a sudden, risky attempt to get away
to hightail it
vsto make a run for it
  • Informal
16 8.4

To leave a place quickly to avoid trouble or danger

is similar but stresses a sudden, risky attempt to escape
to skedaddle
vsto make a run for it
  • Informal
14 9.3

To run away quickly because you are afraid

is similar but focuses on a deliberate attempt to escape danger
to take flight
vsto make a run for it
11 3.5

Leave quickly to escape danger, often by flying

is like this but stresses a risky, hurried escape attempt
to fled the scene
vsto make a run for it
11 4.4

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

is similar but covers any sudden escape attempt from danger
to turn tail
vsto make a run for it
7 7.0

To run away quickly because you are afraid

is similar but highlights an immediate attempt to escape harm
to get out of Dodge
vsto make a run for it
  • Informal
7 9.2

Leave a place quickly to avoid trouble or danger

is like this but focuses on a sudden risky getaway
to run for the hills
vsto make a run for it
  • Informal
7 5.6

To leave a place quickly to escape danger or trouble

matches but stresses a sudden risky attempt to escape
to bolt out
vsto make a run for it
  • Informal
5 4.9

Leave a place suddenly and quickly because you feel scared

is focused on escaping a dangerous or risky situation quickly
to run out of town
vsto make a run for it
5 6.6

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

is like this but stresses immediate escape from danger
to make tracks
vsto make a run for it
  • Informal
5 7.2

Leave quickly to go somewhere or to avoid trouble

adds the sense of a sudden risky escape rather than general leaving
to high-tail
vsto make a run for it
  • Informal
5 8.0

To leave a place very quickly to avoid danger or trouble

is similar but stresses a sudden risky attempt to get away
to head for the hills
vsto make a run for it
  • Informal
4 7.8

To run away quickly to escape danger

is similar but highlights a risky, sudden escape attempt
to rush away
vsto make a run for it
2 2.5

Leave a place quickly because you are in a hurry

is like this but implies escaping danger rather than mere hurry
to beat feet
vsto make a run for it
  • Slang
2 9.0

To leave quickly to escape or avoid something

is focused more on an urgent, risky escape attempt
to leg it
vsto make a run for it
  • UK
1 9.0

Move quickly on foot to escape or reach a place fast

is more about a quick escape under sudden danger
to scarper
vsto make a run for it
  • UK
1 9.7

To run away quickly to avoid trouble

is similar but often implies a sudden, risky attempt
to run a mile
vsto make a run for it
  • Informal
1 7.1

Move away quickly to avoid something you are afraid of

is similar but more about a risky attempt to escape harm
to beat a retreat
vsto make a run for it
1 6.0

To leave a place quickly to avoid danger or trouble

is similar but more about an urgent escape attempt
to take to one's heels
vsto make a run for it
  • Informal
1 6.1

Run away quickly to escape danger or trouble

is similar but emphasizes a sudden risky escape attempt
to take to the woods
vsto make a run for it
  • Informal
8.6

Run quickly into the woods to escape danger

is similar but stresses escaping from danger or risk
to run amain
vsto make a run for it
  • Archaic
9.9

To move very fast on foot to get somewhere quickly

focuses more on escaping risk rather than just speed
to make a bolt
vsto make a run for it
6.8

To run away quickly, usually because you are afraid

adds the notion that the escape is from a risky situation
to show a clean pair of heels
vsto make a run for it
  • UK
8.3

Run away quickly to avoid danger or trouble

is similar but highlights the risky, sudden nature of escape
to do the dash
vsto make a run for it
  • UK
9.3

To run away quickly to avoid being caught

is focused on a sudden risky attempt to get away
to bolt down
vsto make a run for it
  • Informal
6.1

To run away quickly, usually because you are afraid

is similar but places more stress on escaping danger

Antonyms

to stay put
  • Informal
133 2.0

Remain in the same place without moving

How Quickly

to flee
331 2.4
to make a run for it
  • Informal
36 5.3
to bolt
69 2.3

Surface Forms

make a run for it infinitive

Morphology

make + a + run + for + it

The verb 'make' + noun 'run' and the verb 'run' (move quickly) give a clear hint of attempting to run, so a learner who knows the words can often infer a meaning related to running away. However, the fixed sequence 'make a run for it' functions as an idiomatic construction where 'for it' is grammaticalized and the exact sense 'attempt to escape quickly' is not fully predictable from the literal parts, so prior exposure or context is usually needed for full confidence.

Etymology

Make a run for it comes from the simple image of someone suddenly starting to make a run toward an exit or a safe place to get away. That's why it means 'to escape quickly'.