on the lam

on the lam

English

Etymology

From lam (“flight, escape”).

Pronunciation

• Audio (AU)

  (file)

Adjective

on the lam (not comparable)

1. Running away, usually from the police; on the run.
   • 2004, Nintendo EAD, Pikmin 2, Nintendo, space e-mail:

     The President: 'Hello... I am still on the lam from debt collectors.'

   • 2007, Howie Carr, The Brothers Bulger‎:

     Their top hitman, Joe Russo, was on the lam after murdering Joe Barboza in San Francisco.

   • 2012, The Economist, September 15th, Vietnam: A Tiger at Bay

     There have been more bank runs, executives on the lam, arrests and credit panics than the country has seen in years.

Related terms

• take it on the lam

Translations

running away; on the run

Galician: a fume de carozo (gl), á fuga Russian: в бега́х (v begáx) Swedish: på fri fot (sv)

Anagrams

• anthemol, hotelman, methanol