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Run a Mile

What Does "Run a Mile" Mean?

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"Run a mile" is an English idiom. It means "to avoid or distance oneself from something unpleasant, undesirable, or difficult; to have a strong aversion or dislike for a particular situation or task."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "run a mile" used in a sentence:
  • She would run a mile from any job that required her to work with snakes, as she had a deep phobia of them.
  • He claimed he would run a mile from any relationship that involved too much drama or emotional baggage.
  • Facing the intimidating deadline, some employees would run a mile to avoid taking on the challenging project.
meaning for run a mile

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Run a Mile" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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