took it on the lam
Made quick getaway
To take it on the lam is to flee hastily, especially to escape arrest or avoid trouble.
The phrase is American slang from the early twentieth century, now somewhat dated but still understood: When the cops showed up, he took it on the lam.
Someone who has fled is said to be on the lam.
- broke outEscaped or suddenly emerged
- abscondFlee to avoid capture
- manhuntSearch for a suspect
- skedaddleDepart hastily, often fearfully
- vamooseDepart hastily
make a run for it · fugitive · on the run · hightail · skip town · bolt · outlaw · fly the coop · go into hiding · getaway car · hideout · elude · narrow escape · wanted poster · most wanted list · hotfoot it · jailbreak · flee
took it on the lamsurrendered
Ceased resistance formally
submitted · capitulated · faced the music · threw in the towel · yielded
took it on the lamfaced the music
Accepted responsibility for actions
stood one's ground · stayed put · owned up · came clean · stood trial
took it on the lamstayed put
Continued in place
stood one's ground · remained · dug in · hunkered down · sat tight