What does "Do a bunk" mean?

To run away or escape, especially to avoid trouble. British slang for leaving suddenly, often to avoid responsibility or trouble.

How do you use "Do a bunk" in a sentence?

He did a bunk before the police arrived. The tenant did a bunk owing three months' rent. They did a bunk in the middle of the night.

Do a bunk

Slang Term British ★★★☆☆ Moderate Casual

Practice this with flashcards, quizzes & audio on WordLoci →

Meaning: To run away or escape, especially to avoid trouble.

逃跑，尤其是为了避免麻烦。

Huir o escapar, especialmente para evitar problemas.

逃げる、特にトラブルを避けるために。

도망치다, 특히 곤란을 피하기 위해

British slang for leaving suddenly, often to avoid responsibility or trouble.

英国俚语，指突然离开，通常是为了逃避责任或麻烦。

Jerga británica para irse de repente, a menudo para evitar responsabilidades o problemas.

突然去ることを表すイギリスのスラング。責任やトラブルを避けるために使うことが多い。

영국 속어로 갑자기 떠나는 것, 종종 책임이나 곤란을 피하기 위해서.

Literal meaning: Leave via the bunk (bed) window

Examples

He did a bunk before the police arrived.
他在警察来之前跑了
Se largó antes de que llegara la policía
彼は警察が来る前に逃げた
그는 경찰이 오기 전에 도망쳤다.
The tenant did a bunk owing three months' rent.
房客欠了三个月房租就跑了
El inquilino se fue debiendo tres meses de alquiler
借主は3ヶ月分の家賃を滞納したまま逃げた
세입자는 3개월치 월세를 밀린 채 도주했다.
They did a bunk in the middle of the night.
他们半夜跑了
Se largaron en mitad de la noche
彼らは真夜中に逃げた
그들은 한밤중에 도망쳤다.

Pronunciation

/duː ə bʌŋk/

Usage Guide

Context: escaping, avoiding trouble, leaving suddenly

Tone: informal, disapproving

✓ Do Say

Did a bunk.
跑了
Se largó
逃げた
도망쳤어
He's done a bunk.
他跑了
Se ha largado
彼は逃げた
그는 잠수 탔어
Going to do a bunk.
准备跑了
Va a largarse
逃げるつもりだ
도망칠 거야

✗ Don't Say

Ran away
Ran away（逃跑了）
Ran away（Huyó）
Ran away（逃げた）
Ran away（도망쳤다）
Escaped
Escaped（逃脱了）
Escaped（Escapó）
Escaped（脱出した）
Escaped（탈출했다）

Common Mistakes

British expression
More old-fashioned now

Origin & History

Possibly from escaping through a bunk window.

Etymology: British slang

First recorded: 19th century

Cultural Context

Era: Victorian to present

Generation: Older speakers mainly

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: British literature; British comedy

Regional notes: British expression, somewhat dated.

Variations

Do a bunkDid a bunkDone a bunk