Do a runner: The English We Speak

Feifei: Welcome to The English We Speak, I'm Feifei...

Rob: And I'm Rob. Quick Feifei, shut that door.

Feifei: OK, calm down Rob, what's the problem?

Rob: Well there's something going on in the office -

everyone's shouting and arguing about who broke

the computer - you know, the new one

with all that fancy software on it.

Feifei: Oh yes, that really expensive one.

So you've run away from the situation -

that makes you look very guilty.

Rob: That's true - but the problem is, I am guilty.

But the boss seemed so angry;

I thought it best to... well... sort of...

Feifei: Do a runner!

Rob: If you mean to leave a place in order to avoid

a difficult or unpleasant situation -

then I suppose you're right.

Feifei: I am!

Rob: Oh no, is someone coming? I'll just hide under

the desk while we hear some examples

of this phrase in action...

Examples: The new trainee did a runner after the first

day - I don't think he could cope with

the high-pressure environment.

When they started to blame me for the mistake,

I felt it best to do a runner and keep out of the way.

Feifei: So that's the phrase, to do a runner,

which means leave a place quickly in order to avoid

a difficult or unpleasant situation.

But Rob, this phrase has another similar meaning too?

Rob: Yes. You can 'do a runner' from a place

to avoid paying for something.

Feifei: Like a restaurant. Have you done that Rob?

Rob: Of course not! You know how honest I am.

Feifei: Honest? Is that why you are hiding in this studio,

rather than admit you broke the new computer?

Rob: Well, it was an accident. Oh no...

the boss is heading straight for the studio.

I had better dash... see ya.

Feifei: Bye Rob. It looks like he's done a

runner... again. Bye.