to make tracks
5
7.2
- phrasal verb
- /meɪk træk/
- Informal
:
largarse
- 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
550
1.6
To leave secretly and quickly to get away from danger or control
331
2.4
To run away from a place because it is dangerous
260
3.7
To leave a place or person suddenly, often without saying goodbye
147
3.7
To leave a place quickly and secretly to avoid trouble
78
2.0
Leave a place suddenly, often to avoid someone or something
73
1.0
To move very quickly to reach a place
54
3.1
To move quickly with short, hurried steps because you feel afraid or rushed
36
5.3
To try to escape quickly, often by running
35
5.2
To hurry and go faster, often when driving
31
5.5
To move quickly with short hurried steps, often to hide or escape
20
3.8
Leave suddenly because you are in a hurry
19
6.4
To run away quickly after stealing or committing a crime
18
8.3
To leave a place very quickly to escape danger or trouble
16
8.4
To leave a place quickly to avoid trouble or danger
12
7.2
To leave a place quickly and quietly to avoid something you should do
11
4.4
Leave a place quickly to avoid being caught after causing or seeing trouble
9
3.3
To run out quickly from a hiding place to surprise someone
7
7.0
To run away quickly because you are afraid
7
5.6
To leave a place quickly to escape danger or trouble
7
9.2
Leave a place quickly to avoid trouble or danger
5
4.9
Leave a place suddenly and quickly because you feel scared
5
6.6
Leave a place quickly because people are angry or you are in trouble
5
8.0
To leave a place very quickly to avoid danger or trouble
4
7.8
To run away quickly to escape danger
3
8.2
To leave a place quickly to escape danger
2
2.5
Leave a place quickly because you are in a hurry
2
9.8
To leave a place quickly to avoid trouble
2
3.4
Run quickly toward a place or thing to reach it first
2
9.0
To leave quickly to escape or avoid something
1
9.0
Move quickly on foot to escape or reach a place fast
1
2.7
To move quickly in one direction
1
6.0
To leave a place quickly to avoid danger or trouble
1
6.1
Run away quickly to escape danger or trouble
1
7.1
Move away quickly to avoid something you are afraid of
To run away quickly, usually because you are afraid
To run away quickly, usually because you are afraid
Run away quickly to avoid danger or trouble
To leave a place quickly and secretly, often taking things or someone
To leave quickly to escape trouble
To leave quickly to avoid trouble or attention
To run away quickly to avoid being caught
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'.