ran off with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ran off with" is correct and usable in written English.
It typically means that someone has gone away hurriedly, usually with something that does not belong to them. For example, "The thief ran off with the painting he had just stolen from the museum."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He ran off with their money.

The New York Times

"Ran off with his wife's younger sister".

The New Yorker

The first wife, Rosetta, ran off with her married lover.

The New York Times - Arts

But she soon ran off with a Hungarian violinist.

The New York Times - Arts

Ahead by 4-3, Henin ran off with the set.

The New York Times - Sports

His sister Anna ran off with a gentile.

The New York Times - Magazine

(This was before she ran off with Onassis).

The Guardian - Books

Kimball said someone ran off with the ball.

The New York Times

(Short version: The organizer ran off with all the money).

The New York Times

It was Jessica who ran off with a Communist.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

She has run off with another man.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ran off with", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what was taken. For example, specify if it was money, a person, or an object.

Common error

Avoid using "ran off with" when there was no implication of theft or wrongdoing. Use a more neutral phrase like "left with" if the departure was consensual.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ran off with" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating a sudden departure, often involving taking something or someone, typically without permission. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "ran off with" describes a sudden departure, usually implying that the person took something or someone illicitly. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, especially in news and media. While alternatives like "absconded with" or "fled with" exist, "ran off with" maintains a balance of informality and clarity suitable for many contexts. The key is to ensure the context makes clear what or who was taken. By considering these nuances, writers can effectively use "ran off with" to convey a sense of urgency, intrigue, or wrongdoing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

took off with

Similar in meaning, but slightly more informal.

made off with

Focuses on the act of stealing and escaping.

absconded with

Formal synonym, emphasizing secrecy and illegality.

cleared off with

Means to depart quickly, often with something taken illicitly.

fled with

Emphasizes a quick escape, often from danger.

bolted with

Suggests a sudden and panicked departure.

escaped with

Similar to fled with, but can also imply careful planning.

eloped with

Specifically refers to running away to get married.

vamoosed with

An informal way of saying someone quickly left with something or someone.

disappeared with

Highlights the mysterious nature of the departure.

FAQs

How to use "ran off with" in a sentence?

Use "ran off with" to describe someone leaving suddenly, often taking something or someone without permission. For example, "The thief "ran off with" the jewels."

What can I say instead of "ran off with"?

You can use alternatives like "absconded with", "fled with", or "took off with" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "ran off with" or "run off with"?

"Ran off with" is the past tense form, used when the action happened in the past. "Run off with" is the base form, used in other tenses or constructions.

What's the difference between "ran off with" and "left with"?

"Ran off with" implies a sudden, often unauthorized departure, frequently involving theft. "Left with" is more neutral and simply indicates who departed with something.