Do a runner: The English We Speak

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.