Run Off

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "run off" can mean to leave quickly, chase someone or something away, or in farming, to describe water or soil washing away after heavy rain.

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Hillbilly Dude Says...

When something leaves fast, we usually say it 'took off'. But if you want something to get away from you, you wanna holler 'git' if you want to 'run it off.' This one is definitely still in use.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

When something leaves fast, we usually say it 'took off'. But if you want something to get away from you, you wanna holler 'git' if you want to 'run it off.' This one is definitely still in use.

Pronunciation

[ruhn awf]

Meaning & Usage

- Leave Quickly (verb)

Elmer:

Why'd you run off?

Estel:

I saw Clyde a'comin'.

- Chase Away (verb)

Elmer:

Where’s Clyde?

Estel:

They run him off again for playin' that banjer again.

- Water or Soil Wash Away (noun/verb, farming)

Earl:

That run off from that gullywarsher left with half my topsoil.

variations: runned off, runnin’ off, ran off

★ In rural conversation, context tells you which meaning is meant. Around farmers, "run off" often refers to rainwater or erosion, while in everyday talk it’s more about people or animals leaving suddenly. ★

Origin and Etymology

From the literal action of running away or causing something to run away. The agricultural sense comes from the way rainwater "runs off" fields and takes soil with it. All uses have deep roots in English, with "run off" appearing in print since the 1500s.

Usage Notes

The phrase is flexible - it can be used casually for people ("he run off to the store"), for animals ("the cat run off"), or for land and water management. In Appalachian speech, "run off" often uses the past tense "run" instead of "ran."

Say It Like a Southerner

Say "run" with a soft "uh" vowel, and "off" with the vowel flattened toward "awf." In quick speech it can sound like "runnawf." Tone and pacing depend on meaning - fast and sharp if someone’s fleeing, steady if you’re talking about rainwater.

Kin Topics

Common Questions

Is "run off" the same as "run away"?

Close - "run away" focuses on leaving permanently, while "run off" can mean temporary departure or being chased away.

Is it correct to say "he run off" instead of "he ran off"?

In standard English, "ran" is correct, but "run" as past tense is common in Appalachian and Southern dialects.

Can "run off" be used in a positive way?

Sure - "I run off to get you some sweet tea" is just leaving briefly.

Does it always involve speed?

Usually, but in farming, "run off" describes water movement whether fast or slow.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, August 14). Run Off. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/run-off
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Run Off." HillbillySlang.com, 14 Aug. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/run-off.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Run Off." HillbillySlang.com. August 14, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/run-off.

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