What are the definitions of “run away with”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1To let one's emotions or thoughts become uncontrollable and influence one's actions or judgments.
Has it occurred to you that you're letting your prejudices run away with you?
- 2To leave a place or person suddenly and without permission, often with someone else.
She ran away with Steven when she was only sixteen.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “run away with”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb run away with is to let one's emotions or thoughts become uncontrollable and influence one's actions or judgments. It means that someone is not thinking clearly or logically and is acting based on their emotions or biases.
What are the different verb forms of “run away with”?
| Root Verb | run away with |
| Third Person Singular Present | runs away with |
| Present Participle | running away with |
| Simple Past | ran away with |
| Past Participle | run away with |
Example
Don't let your imagination run away with you.
Example
He often runs away with his emotions when making decisions.
Example
She is running away with her thoughts, causing her to worry too much.
Example
Yesterday, he ran away with his anger and said things he regrets.
Example
She had run away with her fears, leading her to make poor choices.
What kind of phrasal verb is “run away with”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Intransitive verb
“run away with” is an intransitive phrasal verb because it doesn't require an object to complete its meaning. It forms a complete sentence without an object.
Example
He ran away with his emotions.
Example
She ran away with her thoughts.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“run away with” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
He ran away with his emotions.
Example
She ran away with her thoughts.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “run away with”?
Good things to know
Does “run away with” have an informal or formal tone?
Run away with is generally considered neutral to informal in tone. It is commonly used in everyday conversations and can be used in more formal settings depending on the context. However, in most cases, run away with is considered an informal phrasal verb used in everyday speech.
