run a mile

verb

To escape, flee, or leave a situation or relationship, usually as a result of a shocking or sudden announcement or revelation.

“If I told him that I had kids, he'd run a mile.”

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Meanings

verbrun a mile (third-person singular simple present runs a mile, present participle running a mile, simple past ran a mile, past participle run a mile)

present singular third person runs a mile · participle present running a mile · past ran a mile

  1. UKidiomaticTo escape, flee, or leave a situation or relationship, usually as a result of a shocking or sudden announcement or revelation.

    If I told him that I had kids, he'd run a mile.

Synonyms & antonyms

Also see
flee
Cite this entry
APA

run a mile. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/run%20a%20mile

MLA

“run a mile.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/run%20a%20mile. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “run a mile,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/run%20a%20mile.

Source: run a mile on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.