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Glite Dictionary
runaway robin

runaway robin

9.9
A small plant often grown in hanging baskets with trailing stems, rounded leaves and small purple flowers
  • noun
  • UK
translation icon : robin descontrolado
  • Runaway robin is a popular choice for hanging baskets due to its delicate trailing stems.

Examples

  • Runaway robin trails gracefully over the edge of the hanging basket, adding a lovely touch to the patio.

  • The small purplish flowers of runaway robin add a touch of color to early spring gardens.

  • Gardeners often plant runaway robin as a ground cover in shady areas.

  • The runaway robin blooms beautifully in the spring.

  • I saw a runaway robin in the garden yesterday.

  • The rounded leaves and small flowers of runaway robin create a charming display in any garden.

  • In many gardens, runaway robin thrives in shady spots, making it an ideal ground cover plant.

Synonyms

alehoof
vsrunaway robin
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A trailing European plant in the mint family with round leaves and small purple flowers

is the widely used modern name focusing on garden use and spread
gill-over-the-ground
vsrunaway robin
  • Archaic
9.9

A low plant like mint that spreads across the ground with round leaves and small purple flowers

is the name that adds native origin and naturalized status in North America
ground ivy
vsrunaway robin
  • UK
7.7

A low green plant that grows along the ground with round leaves and small purple flowers

is the term that emphasizes aromatic character and European origin
Glechoma hederacea
vsrunaway robin
  • Specialized
9.9

A low, spreading plant like a small mint with round leaves and purple flowers

is the everyday garden name focusing on cultivation and appearance
field balm
vsrunaway robin
  • UK
9.9

A trailing plant like mint with rounded leaves and small purple flowers often grown in hanging baskets

is the standard name stressing hanging basket use and naturalization
Nepeta hederaceae
vsrunaway robin
  • Specialized
9.9

A trailing mint plant with rounded leaves and small purple flowers often used in hanging baskets

is the common garden term highlighting origin and basket cultivation

Surface Forms

runaway robin singular
runaway robins plural

Morphology

runaway + robin

The phrase 'runaway robin' is a lexicalized plant name whose botanical meaning (a trailing aromatic mint) cannot be inferred from 'runaway' (an uncontrolled/escaping process) and 'robin' (a bird or here an opaque label). Because the constituent meanings do not map transparently onto the plant sense and 'robin' is not used descriptively for a plant in a predictable way, a B1 learner who knows the parts would not be able to derive the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Runaway robin may come from the plant's long stems that seem to runaway or 'run away' over the edge of a pot and from its small flowers that can attract robins. So picture a plant 'running away' like a little bird to remember that it is a low, trailing plant often used in hanging baskets.