Run Off

In Southern and Appalachian speech, run off can mean to leave suddenly, to chase someone or something away, or (in farming) to describe water or soil washing away after rain. The meaning depends on tone and context.

#SouthernWords #Appalachia #Animals #Southern #FarmTalk

synonyms: leave, flee, chase off, drive away

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’s definitely still in use.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

Pronunciation

[RUHN awf]
/ˈrʌn ɔːf/

Meaning & Usage

- To leave quickly (verb)

Elmer:

Why’d you run off?

Estel:

I saw Clyde a’comin’.

- To chase away (verb)

Elmer:

Where’s Clyde?

Estel:

They run him off again for playin’ that banjer too loud.

- Water or soil washing away (noun/verb, farming)

Earl:

That run off from the gullywasher took half my topsoil.

variations: ran off, runned off, running off

★ Context decides everything. If you’re talkin’ livestock or neighbors, run off means to chase away - but around farmers, it’s usually about rainwater takin’ off with your dirt. ★

Origin and Etymology

From Old and Middle English roots of "run" and "off," meaning movement or departure. The phrase appears in written English by the 1500s. In Appalachian and Southern dialects, it took on flexible meanings - from people and critters fleeing to rainwater "running off" the land.

Usage Notes

Common in everyday Appalachian and rural Southern speech, often using run as the past tense instead of ran. The phrase adapts easily to context and tone:

He run off to the store. - left in a hurry or briefly.
They run off that dog. - chased it away.
The rain run off the hillside. - water drainage or erosion.

It’s one of those versatile, plainspoken expressions that fit everything from farm talk to storytelling.

Kin Topics

Common Questions

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

Not quite - "run away" usually means leaving for good, while "run off" can be temporary or caused by someone chasing you off.

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

In standard grammar, it’s "ran," but "run" is common and accepted in Southern and Appalachian speech.

Can "run off" ever be positive?

Yes - "I run off to grab you some sweet tea" just means a quick errand.

Does it always mean fast?

Often, but not always - when talking about rain or water, it can describe steady flow rather than speed.

How to Cite This Page

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

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