What it means
Means legging it fast, usually to dodge paying, dodge trouble, or dodge the fallout from something you've just done. It's not a calm exit, it's a little panic-powered vanish. You do a runner when staying put feels expensive, awkward, or likely to end with someone yelling after you.
Usage examples
"Gary nicked the last sausage roll, the bouncer clocked him, and he did a runner out the kebab shop, leaving his mate to pay like a mug."
"They ordered the lot and then did a runner, left the poor waiter staring at a table full of empty plates."
"He did a runner halfway through the meeting, muttered something about a dentist and was gone before anyone could blink."
"Soon as the barmaid came over with the card machine, he grabbed his jacket and did a runner out the side door."
"She saw her ex walk into the pub, went fully nope-mode, and did a runner before he could clock her."
Got something to say?
Edit, fix or tell us something. We review it and, if it is true, you will see it applied with your name on it.
Where it comes from
Pure British, built from doing a run for it, legging it before anyone can stop you. To do a runner is to slip off in a hurry, skipping out on a bill, a date or a sticky situation, leaving behind only an empty chair and a few raised eyebrows.
Other ways to say it
Editors of this term
Your vote counts
Is this real street talk or have we lost the plot? Cast your vote.