to make tracks
6
7.2
- phrasal verb
- /meɪk træk/
- Informal
- When the fire alarm went off, everyone began to make tracks out of the building.
- Let's make tracks
- gotta make tracks
- gonna make tracks
Examples
-
We've got to make tracks, people - there isn't much time left.
Fiction book (1999) -
Well, you'd better make tracks my boy, before Greech catches you out here.
-
We need to make tracks.
-
As soon as I get it, we'll make tracks.
-
All right, come on, let's make tracks.
-
We've really gotta make tracks or we're dead!
-
We better make tracks while the tide's in.
Fiction book (2002) -
Time to make tracks!
-
Let's make tracks.
-
We have to make tracks before they catch us.
Synonyms
907
1.6
To leave secretly and quickly to get away from danger or control
583
2.4
To run away from a place because it is dangerous
361
2.0
Leave a place suddenly, often to avoid someone or something
353
3.7
To leave a place or person suddenly, often without saying goodbye
67
1.0
To move very quickly to reach a place
48
3.7
To leave a place quickly and secretly to avoid trouble
48
3.1
To move quickly with short, hurried steps because you feel afraid or rushed
42
3.3
To run out quickly from a hiding place to surprise someone
35
5.3
To try to escape quickly, often by running
27
5.2
To hurry and go faster, often when driving
25
4.4
Leave a place quickly to avoid being caught after causing or seeing trouble
24
3.8
Leave suddenly because you are in a hurry
23
6.4
To run away quickly after stealing or committing a crime
19
6.6
Leave a place quickly because people are angry or you are in trouble
18
5.5
To move quickly with short hurried steps, often to hide or escape
18
8.3
To leave a place very quickly to escape danger or trouble
18
9.2
Leave a place quickly to avoid trouble or danger
17
8.4
To leave a place quickly to avoid trouble or danger
17
7.2
To leave a place quickly and quietly to avoid something you should do
10
5.6
To leave a place quickly to escape danger or trouble
7
4.9
Leave a place suddenly and quickly because you feel scared
7
7.0
To run away quickly because you are afraid
7
8.2
To leave a place quickly to escape danger
6
8.0
To leave a place very quickly to avoid danger or trouble
5
7.8
To run away quickly to escape danger
4
2.5
Leave a place quickly because you are in a hurry
4
9.8
To leave a place quickly to avoid trouble
3
3.4
Run quickly toward a place or thing to reach it first
3
6.0
To leave a place quickly to avoid danger or trouble
2
2.7
To move quickly in one direction
2
9.0
To leave quickly to escape or avoid something
2
7.1
Move away quickly to avoid something you are afraid of
1
9.0
Move quickly on foot to escape or reach a place fast
1
6.1
To run away quickly, usually because you are afraid
1
9.1
To leave quickly to avoid trouble or attention
1
9.9
To leave quickly to escape trouble
1
6.8
To run away quickly, usually because you are afraid
1
9.9
To leave a place quickly and secretly, often taking things or someone
1
9.3
To run away quickly to avoid being caught
1
8.3
Run away quickly to avoid danger or trouble
Run away quickly to escape danger or trouble
Antonyms
How Fast
Surface Forms
Morphology
The idea of "making tracks" can be linked to the literal image of leaving a visible path while moving, so a learner who knows "make" and "track(s)" could plausibly infer a sense of going away. However, the conventionalized meaning "depart quickly" is somewhat metaphorical and idiomatic rather than a straightforward compositional result, so it may not be fully predictable for a B1 learner without prior exposure.
Etymology
The phrasal verb make tracks likely comes from the image of footsteps or wheel marks left in the ground as someone leaves quickly. So to make tracks means 'to leave or go away fast'.