elope

/i'loup/

Thân thiện

The young couple decided to elope to a small seaside town.

Definition

1. Verb:
   • To run away secretly, especially to get married without the knowledge or consent of one's parents or guardians. This action is typically done by a couple who wish to marry despite opposition or to avoid a formal ceremony.

Usage

The verb "elope" describes a specific, often romantic, act of secret departure. It is an intransitive verb and is almost always used in the context of marriage or a romantic relationship. It implies a degree of urgency, secrecy, and defiance of social or familial expectations.

Examples

• Verb:
  • Fearing their families' disapproval, they decided to elope to a small town by the sea.
  • In the classic story, the young lovers elope under the cover of darkness.
  • They didn't want a big wedding, so they simply eloped last weekend.

Advanced Usage

• "to elope with (someone)": This is the most common construction, specifying the person one is running away with.
  • She eloped with her childhood sweetheart.
• The act of eloping is called an "elopement" (noun).
  • Their elopement was the talk of the town for weeks.

Variants and Related Words

• Elopement (n): The act or an instance of eloping.
  • The news of their elopement surprised everyone.

Synonyms

• Run off: To leave quickly and secretly (can be used in a broader, non-romantic context).
• Abscond: To leave hurriedly and secretly, typically to avoid detection or arrest (more formal and often used in legal/negative contexts).
• Flee: To run away from a place or situation of danger (broader, not specifically romantic).

Antonyms

• Have a formal wedding: To marry with a public ceremony and family involvement.
• Announce an engagement: To formally declare the intention to marry.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• "To run away to Gretna Green": A British idiom historically referring to eloping to Gretna Green in Scotland, a famous destination for eloping couples due to its lenient marriage laws.
  • In the 18th century, many English couples would run away to Gretna Green to marry.

Học thuật

Verb

1. run away secretly with one's beloved
   • The young couple eloped and got married in Las Vegas

Từ đồng nghĩa

• run off