on the lam
idiom
US, informal
: trying to avoid being caught by the police
two escaped convicts on the lam
Examples of on the lam in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The two robbers, pictured in surveillance footage wearing medical masks and blue medical gloves remain on the lam.
—
Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 1 Feb. 2025
In Haiti, meanwhile, a trio of Haitian Americans with ties to South Florida are being held, among more than 40 people who have been arrested there, while still others remain on the lam.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2025
For over a decade, Landi had been a man on the lam.
—Atossa Araxia Abrahamian Atossa Araxia Abrahamian, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2025
But then Bates skipped out on his 2022 court appearance, leading to his extended time on the lam.
—Sean Neumann, People.com, 16 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for on the lam 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 1 Feb. 2025
In Haiti, meanwhile, a trio of Haitian Americans with ties to South Florida are being held, among more than 40 people who have been arrested there, while still others remain on the lam.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2025
For over a decade, Landi had been a man on the lam.
—Atossa Araxia Abrahamian Atossa Araxia Abrahamian, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2025
But then Bates skipped out on his 2022 court appearance, leading to his extended time on the lam.
—Sean Neumann, People.com, 16 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for on the lam
Dictionary Entries Near on the lam
Cite this Entry
“On the lam.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%20the%20lam. Accessed 6 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share