Sue, Grabbit and Runne

proper noun

A generic name for a law firm, especially one specializing in libel cases.

Similar
Dewey, Cheatem and Howe
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Meanings

proper noun
  1. UKhumorousA generic name for a law firm, especially one specializing in libel cases.

    1838', Joshington Square Messrs Sue, Grabbit and Runn were after Mr Crink, our hero.

    5 more examples

    I cannot disclose his name for fear of letters from Messrs Sue, Grabbit and Run.

    1975, Books and Bookmen

    […] the finger sunk into the cheek like that of some posing philosopher and the general effect being, if I may say so without incurring the wrath of Sue Grabbit and Runne, one of effeminacy.

    1980, The Spectator

    Needless to say such improbable calumnies will not pass unnoticed by Messrs Sue, Grabbitt and Runne, who have been instructed to use the limits of the law to bring to heel the rumour-mongers and muck-rakers.

    1982, The Bookseller

    A rather pathetic pseudo-apology you might think; as Milne had no evidence for his damaging accusation, he was lucky Douglas-Home did not set Messrs Sue, Grabbit & Runne on him.

    1985, The Spectator

    I am sure he will agree, after some of his comments, that if we pursue this idea too far, he and I, and indeed your Lordships, might well become entangled with that well-known firm of libel lawyers, Messrs. Sue, Grabitt, and Run, since I shall report swiftly the thoughts of my noble friend to my right honourable friend.

    1985 February 27, Lord Lyell, “Government Subsidisation: De Lorean Enterprise”, in parliamentary debates (House of Lords (UK)), page 1000

    Synonyms: Dewey, Cheatem and Howe

Synonyms & antonyms

proper nounA generic name for a law firm, especially one specializing in libel cases.

Similar
Dewey, Cheatem and Howe
Also see
dewey, cheatem and howe

Origin

A jocular play on the phrase sue, grab it and run, suggesting an unscrupulous, greedy law firm to which Private Eye magazine would usually attribute frivolous libel cases.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

Sue, Grabbit and Runne. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Sue%2C%20Grabbit%20and%20Runne

MLA

“Sue, Grabbit and Runne.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Sue%2C%20Grabbit%20and%20Runne. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Sue, Grabbit and Runne,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Sue%2C%20Grabbit%20and%20Runne.

Source: Sue, Grabbit and Runne on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.