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
Yet this man, who then disappeared into the tunnels of the NYC subway system and remained on the lam for nine days, was not reviled as a vicious and violent criminal by a stunning number of New Yorkers, particularly white ones.
—
Heather Ann Thompson, The Atlantic, 26 Jan. 2026
One of the after almost 10 years on the lam for killing his ex-girlfriend, the feds said Saturday.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 18 Jan. 2026
Another should show them from behind, because that might be the only thing witnesses see of dogs on the lam.
—Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 17 Jan. 2026
His alleged killer has been on the lam ever since, until a tip cracked the cold case and lead to his arrest Saturday.
—Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 20 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for on the lam
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Heather Ann Thompson, The Atlantic, 26 Jan. 2026
One of the after almost 10 years on the lam for killing his ex-girlfriend, the feds said Saturday.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 18 Jan. 2026
Another should show them from behind, because that might be the only thing witnesses see of dogs on the lam.
—Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 17 Jan. 2026
His alleged killer has been on the lam ever since, until a tip cracked the cold case and lead to his arrest Saturday.
—Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 20 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for 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 8 Feb. 2026.
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