What does "Leg it" mean?

To run away quickly. British slang for running fast, especially to escape.

How do you use "Leg it" in a sentence?

When the alarm went off, we legged it. Leg it! He legged it down the street.

Leg it

Slang Term British ★★★★★ Very Common Casual

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Meaning: To run away quickly.

快速逃跑。

Huir corriendo.

素早く逃げる。

재빨리 도망치다

British slang for running fast, especially to escape.

英国俚语，指快跑，尤其是逃跑。

Jerga británica para correr rápido, especialmente para escapar.

速く走ることを表すイギリスのスラング。特に逃げる時に使う。

영국 속어로 빠르게 달리는 것, 특히 도망칠 때 쓴다.

Literal meaning: Use your legs (run)

Examples

When the alarm went off, we legged it.
警报响了，我们就跑了
Cuando sonó la alarma, salimos corriendo
アラームが鳴ったとき、俺たちは逃げた
경보가 울리자 우리는 도망쳤다.
Leg it!
快跑！
¡Corre！
逃げろ！
튀어!
He legged it down the street.
他沿着街道跑了
Salió corriendo calle abajo
彼は通りを走って逃げた
그는 거리를 달려서 도망쳤다.

Pronunciation

/leɡ ɪt/

Usage Guide

Context: running, escaping, hurrying

Tone: urgent, informal

✓ Do Say

Leg it!
快跑！
¡Corre！
逃げろ！
튀어!
We legged it.
我们跑了
Salimos corriendo
俺たちは逃げた
우리 냅다 뛰었어
Time to leg it.
该跑了
Hora de correr
逃げる時間だ
도망칠 시간이야

✗ Don't Say

Run
Run（跑）
Run（Correr）
Run（走る）
Run（뛰다）
Escape
Escape（逃跑）
Escape（Escapar）
Escape（逃げる）
Escape（도망치다）

Common Mistakes

Very common British slang
Can mean just running fast, not necessarily escape

Origin & History

From using your legs to run.

Etymology: British slang

First recorded: 19th century

Cultural Context

Era: Traditional to present

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: British TV; British comedy

Regional notes: British and Irish expression.

Variations

Leg itLegged itLet's leg it