Subtitles section Play video Print subtitles 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.
A2 UK feifei rob runner phrase unpleasant avoid Do a runner: The English We Speak 14026 1395 Samuel posted on 2018/01/10 More Share Save Report Video vocabulary