hit and run

plural hit and runs · alternative hit-and-run

1. countableuncountablelawThe crime of causing a traffic collision, and leaving without acknowledging responsibility.

   But why don't you grab your old lady by the feet / And just lay her out in the darkest street / And by morning, she's just another hit and run

   1978, Lou Reed, “Street Hassle”, in Street Hassle

2. countableuncountableball gamesA play where the baserunners leave their base before the batter hits the ball, assuming that the batter will in fact hit the ball and this will give them an advantage.
3. countableuncountablegovernmentThe tactic of attacking one place and then quickly moving to another before defenders can react.

   It used it as a launching pad of its hit and run attacks against Yugoslavia with the full—though clandestine—support of the Bulgarian Ministry of War and Fascist Italy.

   2002, Samuel Vaknin, Terrorists and Freedom Fighters

   1 more example

   In the city centre far from the stadium, what the mayor, Femke Halsema, has described as violent “hit and run” attacks on Israeli supporters by groups of local people took place.

   2024 November 16, Dave Rich, “The violence in Amsterdam showed just how polarising – and radicalising – the Middle East conflict has been”, in The Guardian, →ISSN

4. countableidiomaticslanguncountableSexual intercourse followed by a prompt departure; a one-night stand.

present singular third person hits and runs · participle present hitting and running · past hit and ran · alternative hit-and-run

1. informalTo hit something or someone with a vehicle and leave the scene of the incident.

   Synonyms: hit-skip

2. idiomaticintransitiveslangTo engage in sexual intercourse followed by a prompt departure; to engage in a one-night stand.

   You can't hit and run / I've got to be number one / Better make up your mind / 'Cause you'll never find a love so divine

   1977, Loleatta Holloway, “Hit and Run”, in Loleatta (1977 album)

3. card gamesTo join a poker game, quickly win several hands, then leave.
4. backgammonSynonym of pick and pass.

   Synonyms: pick and pass

5. InternetslangTo download through peer-to-peer file sharing protocols (e.g., BitTorrent) without seeding.
6. ball gamesTo leave the base before the batter hits the ball.

   This manager, in keeping with all other famous managers, believed that batting was the thing which won games. He developed a hard-hitting team. He kept everlastingly at them to hit and run, hit and run.

   1920, Zane Grey, “The Manager of Madden's Hill”, in The Redheaded Outfield