cut and run

present singular third person cuts and runs · participle present cutting and running · past cut and ran

1. nauticalTo cut the anchor cable and not wait to weigh it.
2. broadlyTo hurry away; to escape.

   Calls to cut and run without paying a penny in the Brexit settlement are unlawful and unethical.

   2017 May 3, Helena Kennedy, “You can’t just cut and run from Europe, Theresa May – it’s illegal”, in The Guardian

   2 more examples

   “I just say it’s curious, that’s all. Here’s a young man who ought to cut and run, but he doesn’t cut and run. He stays here, and gives us every facility for comparing footmarks.”

   1925, Agatha Christie, The Secret of Chimneys

   Gap, the US clothing giant, will not "cut and run" when an international textile agreement ends next year, threatening the closure of hundreds of factories in the developing world, the company's chief executive said last night.

   2004 November 11, Tobias Webb, quoting Paul Pressler, “Gap pledges not to 'cut and run'”, in The Guardian

3. governmentTo abandon a position as quickly as possible.

   The President laid out the scenario we face if the United States decides to cut and run.

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   They held on as long as they could, but when the heavy artillery fire started, they had to cut and run.

   Mr Blair promised that the UK would not "cut and run". "Don't be under any doubts at all, British troops remain until the job is done and that job is moving up the Iraqi capabilities so that, for example, in Basra Iraqi forces can carry out the security work."

   2006 December 18, Patrick Wintour, quoting Tony Blair, “UK will not cut and run in fight for democracy, troops told”, in The Guardian