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run for cover

VERB
avoid
Synonyms
STRONGEST
avert bypass dodge escape evade fend off shun sidestep ward off
STRONG
abstain circumvent deflect desist ditch divert duck elude eschew flee hide jump obviate recoil shake shirk shy skip skirt weave withdraw
WEAK
circumlocute cold-shoulder fake out give the slip hold off keep clear lay low shake and bake shake off shrink from shuffle off skip out on skip town stay away stay out steer clear of step aside turn aside
Antonyms
STRONGEST
face meet
STRONG
allow help permit stay take on
WEAK
seek want

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Noémie Halioua, a French freelance journalist, packed light for her flight from Tel Aviv to Paris on March 20, wearing loosefitting pants and sneakers just in case she had to run for cover.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

While in Tel Aviv on Sunday, AFP journalists heard sirens signalling an incoming missile attack from Iran, prompting dozens of people nearby to run for cover in a nearby shelter.

From Barron's • Mar. 1, 2026

The six of us run for cover and hit the ground.

From BBC • Mar. 23, 2023

Finish the math test or run for cover?

From Washington Post • Sep. 6, 2022

There was no reason to run for cover.

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck

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