abscond

Everyday

1. (formal) To abscond means to leave secretly and suddenly, especially to escape from somewhere or to avoid being caught. tree →
2. To abscond with something means to run away with money or things that are not yours. tree →

In the lessons

In news and police reports, prisoners or thieves abscond; a treasurer may abscond with club funds. In stories, it is a dramatic, formal word for running off. In everyday talk, children say «run off» or «do a runner» (UK informal). Phrases: «abscond with», «abscond from».

Examples

• The thief absconded with the cash box. tree →
• Two prisoners absconded from the open prison. tree →
• The club treasurer absconded with all the money. tree →
• (jokey) Our dog absconded with the Sunday roast. tree →
• The man absconded before the police arrived. tree →
• The puppy absconded with my sock. tree →

Note

Regular verb: absconded. Formal and serious; often used jokingly about pets and small thefts. Say «ab-SKOND».