on the lam

on the lam

Attempting to avoid capture, typically as a fugitive from law enforcement; on the run. The escaped convicts have been on the lam for a week, with no leads as to their whereabouts.

See also: lam, on

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

on the lam

running from the police. (Underworld.) Richard has been on the lam for a week now. The gang leader broke out of prison and is still on the lam.

See also: lam, on

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

on the lam

Running away, especially from the police, as in He's always in some kind of trouble and perpetually on the lam. The origin of this slangy term of the 1800s is not known.

See also: lam, on

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

on the lam

mainly AMERICAN, INFORMAL

If someone is on the lam, they are trying to escape or hide from someone, for example the police or an enemy. He is currently on the lam, wanted for the sale and trafficking of cocaine. A Rhode Island banker accused of stealing millions has turned himself in after months on the lam. Note: `Lam' is an American slang word meaning running away.

See also: lam, on

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

on the lam

in flight, especially from the police. North American informal

See also: lam, on

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

on the ˈlam

(American English, informal) escaping from somebody, especially from the police: The man disappeared just before he was due to go to jail and has been on the lam ever since.

See also: lam, on

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

on the lam

(...læm)

mod. running from the police. (Underworld.) When the boss found out you was on the lam, he got real mad.

See also: lam, on

McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.