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run away with

B2 neutral inseparable transitive
In simple words

to take something and go away, or to let your feelings control you too much

Literal meaning: to run off while carrying something or someone

Meanings

1 B2 idiomatic neutral

to steal something and escape with it

"A thief ran away with her handbag while she was paying."

Grammar: inseparable
2 B2 idiomatic neutral

for feelings, enthusiasm, or imagination to control someone's thinking too much

"Don't let your imagination run away with you before we have the facts."

"Don't let your imagination run away with you."

— Common public phrase; exact source not reliably recalled
Grammar: inseparable
3 C1 idiomatic informal

to win something very easily or by a large amount

"Their team ran away with the championship this year."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Several distinct senses. The emotional sense is common in speech: 'Don't let your imagination run away with you.'

Commonly used with

imagination emotions idea prize money match

Forms

Base
run away with
I/you/we/they
3rd person
runs away with
he/she/it
Past simple
ran away with
yesterday
Past participle
run away with
have + pp
-ing form
running away with
continuous

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Synonyms

steal make off with get carried away be overwhelmed by win easily romp away with

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