run-off

run-off — phrasal verb

1. to leave a place or person without telling anyone, often to escape a difficult s

1.片語動詞不及物B1
釋義

to leave a place or person without telling anyone, often to escape a difficult situation or to start a relationship with someone else.

例句

Christopher ran off with his neighbour last April, leaving his wife and children behind.

run off + with + person; implies secrecy

The company's accountant ran off to Brazil after taking two million dollars from the safe.

run off + to + place; implies escaping with money

同義詞
  • run away

    broader meaning; 'run away' can be used for any escape, while 'run off' often implies a relationship or financial motive

  • elope

    specifically about running away to get married; more romantic and less negative than 'run off'

  • abscond

    formal term for leaving secretly, especially with stolen money; much more formal than 'run off'

反義詞
  • stay

    to remain in a place or relationship

  • return

    to come back after leaving

文法句型

run off + with + noun (person or money)

run off + to + place

用法筆記

This sense often carries a negative judgment about the person who leaves, suggesting they acted secretly or irresponsibly. The most common collocation is 'run off with someone/something.'

常見錯誤

❌He ran off from the meeting early because he was bored.
✅He left the meeting early because he was bored.
💡'run off' implies a sudden, secret departure, not simply leaving a routine event.

2. to produce copies of a document, image, or text using a printer or other copying

2.片語動詞及物B1
釋義

to produce copies of a document, image, or text using a printer or other copying machine, especially quickly.

例句

Beatriz asked the receptionist to run off thirty copies of the meeting agenda.

run off + number + copies of + document

Can you run off a few posters for the bake sale before the lunch break?

question form; run off + noun phrase

同義詞
  • print

    simpler and more general; does not imply speed or a small quantity

  • photocopy

    specifically refers to copying on a photocopier, not printing from a computer

  • xerox

    brand name used informally as a verb; less common outside the US

文法句型

run + noun phrase + off

run off + noun phrase (documents, copies, flyers)

用法筆記

The object can go between 'run' and 'off' (run the copies off) or after 'off' (run off the copies). With a short object like 'it,' only the separable pattern is natural: 'run it off,' not 'run off it.'

常見錯誤

❌I need to run off the printer.
✅I need to run off some copies from the printer.
💡'run off' in this sense requires a direct object referring to the copies, not the machine.
❌She ran off it for me.
✅She ran it off for me.
💡With a pronoun object, the separable pattern is the only natural choice.

3. to write, compose, or create something such as a poem, song, or speech very quic

3.片語動詞及物C1
釋義

to write, compose, or create something such as a poem, song, or speech very quickly and with little effort, often to someone's surprise.

例句

Hiro sat at the piano and ran off a complete melody in twenty minutes.

run off + creative work (melody); time phrase shows speed

The columnist can run off a thousand-word article during a short train ride.

同義詞
  • dash off

    very similar in meaning; 'dash off' is slightly more common for writing, while 'run off' can also apply to music

  • knock out

    informal; suggests speed but not necessarily ease or quality

  • improvise

    focuses on the lack of preparation, not the speed of execution

反義詞
  • polish

    to refine and improve something over time, the opposite of producing it quickly

  • labour over

    to work slowly and with great effort

文法句型

run off + noun phrase (poem, song, speech, essay)

用法筆記

This sense often conveys admiration — the speaker is impressed that something of decent quality was produced so quickly. It is not used for routine writing like emails or shopping lists.

常見錯誤

❌I ran off a quick email to my boss.
✅I dashed off a quick email to my boss.
💡'run off' for creative or substantial work; 'dash off' works for everyday messages.
❌She ran off the report in an hour.
✅She wrote the report in an hour.
💡'run off' implies creative or artistic production, not a routine business document.

4. to win a series of points, games, or rounds in a competition without the opponen

4.片語動詞及物C1
釋義

to win a series of points, games, or rounds in a competition without the opponent scoring in between.

例句

The tennis player ran off five straight games to win the championship match.

run off + number + straight + games; sports context

Cyrus ran off twelve points in the fourth quarter and sealed the team's victory.

同義詞
  • rattle off

    similar meaning for consecutive wins; also used for listing things quickly

  • reel off

    very similar to 'run off'; used for a series of wins or achievements in a row

文法句型

run off + number + noun phrase (points, games, matches)

用法筆記

Used mainly in sports commentary and reporting. The points or wins come one after another without interruption. In games like chess or tennis, it describes winning consecutive games or matches.

常見錯誤

❌The team ran off two goals at the end.
✅The team scored two goals at the end.
💡'run off' implies multiple scores in a row without the opponent scoring; use 'score' for individual goals.
❌She ran off the match.
✅She ran off four games in a row to win the match.
💡The object of 'run off' must be the points or games won, not the entire match.