running for the hills
Panicked hasty retreat
Running for the hills is fleeing in panic or retreating hastily from a threatening or overwhelming situation.
The image is of escaping to remote terrain where danger can't follow.
Often used hyperbolically: When she mentioned marriage, he went running for the hills.
The phrase usually implies the flight is somewhat cowardly or at least self-protective.
- fleeingRapid escape from danger
- getting out of DodgeDeparting hastily from danger
- boltingDeparting at speed
- sprintingMaximum-speed locomotion on foot
- avoidanceDeliberate keeping away
panic · retreating · absconding · dread · scattering · shirking · escaping · run for cover · evasion · nope · nope out · anxiety · backing down · fright · terror · hiding · alarm · fight or flight
running for the hillsstanding one's ground
Refusing to yield position
standing ground · facing the music · digging in · fighting back · standing tall
running for the hillssticking it out
hanging in there · persevering · soldiering on · pressing on · weathering the storm
running for the hillsrushing in
Entering with haste
advancing · moving in · closing in · leaning in · approaching
running, runner, runners, hills, hillside, hillsides, hillock, hillocks