run off meaning and definition

RUN OFF verb

Definition of run off (verb)

1. run away; usually includes taking something or somebody along
   • "The thief made off with our silver"; "the accountant absconded with the cash from the safe"
   • synonyms: abscond, absquatulate, bolt, decamp, go off, make off
2. leave suddenly and as if in a hurry
   • "The listeners bolted when he discussed his strange ideas"; "When she started to tell silly stories, I ran out"
   • synonyms: beetle off, bolt, bolt out, run out
3. force to go away; used both with concrete and metaphoric meanings
   • "Drive away potential burglars"; "drive away bad thoughts"; "dispel doubts"; "The supermarket had to turn back many disappointed customers"
   • synonyms: chase away, dispel, drive away, drive off, drive out, turn back
4. run away secretly with one's beloved
   • "The young couple eloped and got married in Las Vegas"
   • synonyms: elope
5. run off as waste
   • "The water wastes back into the ocean"
   • synonyms: waste
6. reproduce by xerography
   • synonyms: photocopy, xerox
7. decide (a contest or competition) by a runoff