hit-and-run

American  

[hit-n-ruhn] / ˈhɪt nˈrʌn /

adjective

1. guilty of fleeing the scene of an accident or injury one has caused, especially a vehicular accident, thereby attempting to evade being identified and held responsible.

   a hit-and-run driver.

2. involving or resulting from such action or conduct.

   hit-and-run fatalities.

3. Baseball. pertaining to or noting a play in which, to get a head start, a base runner begins to run to the next base as the pitcher delivers the ball to the batter, who must try to hit it in order to protect the runner.

4. marked by taking flight immediately after a quick, concentrated attack.

   a hit-and-run raid.

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verb (used without object)

hit-and-ran, hit-and-running

1. Baseball. to attempt or execute a hit-and-run play.

hit-and-run British  

adjective

1. 1. involved in or denoting a motor-vehicle accident in which the driver leaves the scene without stopping to give assistance, inform the police, etc

   2. ( as noun )

      a hit-and-run

2. (of an attack, raid, etc) relying on surprise allied to a rapid departure from the scene of operations for the desired effect

   hit-and-run tactics

3. baseball denoting a play in which a base runner begins to run as the pitcher throws the ball to the batter

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Other Word Forms

• hit-and-runner noun

Etymology

Origin of hit-and-run

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900

Example Sentences

"I think tobacco companies are hit-and-run offenders. A car caused a traffic accident. Many people were injured and killed. But the driver fled the scene," he said after the verdict.

From Barron's • Jan. 15, 2026

At the time, the California Highway Patrol had requested the Los Angeles Police Department’s assistance in tracking down three people who had fled the scene of a hit-and-run on the nearby 134 Freeway.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 3, 2025

In a statement, police confirmed officers were not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths, or a separate hit-and-run in Gainsborough Road, Winthorpe, just after 10:00 GMT on Saturday.

From BBC • Nov. 26, 2025

"This kind of visitor tends to have little real interest in the heritage, culture or natural environment they are exploiting for clicks. They are the ultimate hit-and-run tourist," Wareing said.

From BBC • Sep. 6, 2025

One of these days I’m going to walk into the house and the news guy on TV will be reporting a hit-and-run that just happened downtown.

From "Wintergirls" by Laurie Halse Anderson

Related Words

• arrest
• assault
• break in
• capture
• incursion
• invasion
• onslaught
• sortie
• surprise attack
• sweep