Also: Make a run for it
Meaning of Idiom ‘Run For It’ (Phrasal Verb)
Meaning 1: To run from somewhere to escape captivity, or to escape danger or consequences, usually suddenly, without a plan, or before an opportunity ends.
Examples Of Use
“The prisoners decided to run for it when the guard’s back was turned.”
“He was coming at me with a knife so I had to make a choice of what to do. I decided to run for it.”
“The child was juvenile detention when a fire alarm gave him the opportunity to make a run for it.”
“Mom is going to catch you smoking. You’d better run for it.”
Meaning 2: To run in order to reach somewhere quickly before it is too late, such as a bus stop.
Examples Of Use
“If you want to catch the bus on time you’d better run for it.”
“I’m late to the airport. I’m going to miss my plane if I don’t run for it.”
“You’re almost late for school. If you run for it you can get there on time.”
30 English Idioms With Run
Origin
The ‘it’ in this idiom is probably one’s life, based on the older, sometimes hyperbolic idiom, run for one’s life.
