You’re sitting there with a cup of coffee, the grid is nearly full, but that one corner just won’t budge. We’ve all been there. The make a run for it crossword clue is one of those classic "aha!" moments waiting to happen, but it’s notoriously slippery because the English language loves a good idiom. Crossword constructors—those devious folks like Will Shortz or Brendan Emmett Quigley—rely on the fact that "make a run for it" can mean three or four different things depending on the context of the puzzle.
It’s frustrating.
Sometimes the answer is three letters. Sometimes it’s six. If you’re looking at a Saturday New York Times puzzle, it might even be a pun you didn't see coming. Let's get into the weeds of why this specific clue pops up so often and how you can narrow down the right answer without losing your mind.
Common Answers for Make a Run for it
If you are staring at a blank space, the most frequent answer for a make a run for it crossword clue is BOLT. It’s short, punchy, and fits perfectly in those tight 4-letter slots. But it isn't the only one. Depending on the length of the word and the specific "flavor" of the puzzle, you might be looking at:
- LAM (Often seen as "on the lam")
- FLEE (The most literal interpretation)
- SCRAM (A bit more colloquial)
- DASH (Focuses on the speed)
- ELOPE (A romantic "run for it")
- SKIDADDLE (Rare, but shows up in "fun" puzzles)
Crosswords are essentially games of synonyms. When a constructor writes "make a run for it," they are testing your ability to pivot. Are they talking about a criminal escaping the law? That’s likely LAM. Are they talking about a sudden burst of speed in a race? That could be DASH or SPRINT.
The Evolution of Crossword Idioms
Language changes. Puzzles change with it. In the 1970s and 80s, crossword clues were much more literal. You’d see "Escape" as the clue and "FLEE" as the answer. Simple. Direct.
But modern puzzles, especially those found in the Wall Street Journal or The New Yorker, prefer what enthusiasts call "misdirection." They want you to think one thing while the answer is another. For instance, if the clue is "Make a run for it?" (notice the question mark), the answer might be OPERATE A BAKERY. Why? Because a "run" can refer to a "bread run" or managing a business. That question mark is a signal. It’s a wink from the editor telling you to stop being literal.
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Honestly, the "make a run for it crossword clue" is a perfect example of why English is a nightmare for non-native speakers. We use the word "run" for everything. Water runs. Computers run. Candidates run for office. Stockings get runs. It’s a linguistic Swiss Army knife.
Deciphering the Grid Context
You can’t solve a clue in a vacuum. You need the "crosses"—the words that intersect with your target. If you have an 'L' as the first letter of a three-letter word, you’re almost certainly looking at LAM.
The "on the lam" phrase actually has some pretty cool history. Etymologists suggest it might come from the Old Norse word lamm, meaning to beat or strike, implying one has struck a blow and then fled. Others think it’s related to the word "lame," as in hobbling away. Regardless, it’s a crossword staple. If you see "Make a run for it" and it's three letters, LAM is your best bet.
What if it’s six letters?
Then you’re likely looking at DECAMP or ESCAPE. These are "fancier" words. Crossword editors tend to match the "register" of the clue to the answer. A slangy clue like "Skedaddle!" usually leads to a slangy answer like BEAT IT. A formal clue like "Departed hastily" leads to ABSCONDED.
Why Your First Guess is Often Wrong
Psychologically, our brains latch onto the first meaning we associate with a phrase. For most, "make a run for it" conjures images of a bank robber sprinting to a getaway car. But what if the puzzle is themed around sports? Then the "run" might be a literal point in baseball.
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I remember a puzzle once where the clue was "Make a run for it" and the answer was STITCH. I was baffled for ten minutes. Then it hit me: knitting. You "make a run" in a fabric if you drop a STITCH. That kind of cleverness is what keeps people coming back to the Sunday Crossword, even when it makes them want to throw their pen across the room.
Pro-Tips for Solvers
- Check the Tense: If the clue is "Made a run for it," the answer must be in the past tense (e.g., FLED, BOLTED).
- Check the Plural: "Makes a run for it" would end in an 'S' (e.g., BOLTS, FLEES).
- The Question Mark Rule: Always, always look for the question mark. It indicates a pun or a non-literal meaning.
- Count the Letters: This sounds obvious, but many people try to force a word like "ESCAPE" into a five-letter slot.
Crossword puzzles are a workout for your lateral thinking. They force you to look at a phrase like "make a run for it" and see it from five different angles simultaneously. It’s not just about vocabulary; it’s about flexibility.
Deep Dive into "On the Lam"
Since LAM is such a common answer for this clue, it’s worth knowing its nuances. It appeared heavily in mid-20th-century noir fiction and police procedurals. In the world of crosswords, "short" words with common letters (L, A, M) are gold for constructors. They help fill the "connective tissue" of the grid.
If you're ever stuck on a 3-letter word starting with L, and the clue involves escaping, running, or fleeing, just put LAM in there. 99% of the time, it'll be right.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Puzzle
If you encounter the make a run for it crossword clue again and the obvious answers aren't working, follow this workflow:
Check for a question mark at the end of the clue. If it’s there, think about puns related to "runs" (knitting, baseball, diarrhea—yes, sometimes editors are bold—or managing a business).
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Look at the neighboring clues. Getting even one or two letters from the vertical words will usually clarify if you're looking for a word starting with 'B' (Bolt) or 'F' (Flee).
Consider the "vibe" of the publication. The New York Times loves historical and literary references. The LA Times is often a bit more straightforward. The Onion or AV Club puzzles will almost certainly be using slang or pop-culture references.
Keep a mental list of "crosswordese"—those words that exist almost exclusively in puzzles. LAM is high on that list. So is ELIE (Wiesel), ALOE, and OREO.
Don't be afraid to leave it blank and come back later. Often, your subconscious will keep chewing on the phrase while you're working on a different section of the grid. You’ll be halfway through the "Down" clues when the word SCRAM suddenly pops into your head.
The beauty of the crossword is that there is always a logical answer. It might be buried under layers of wordplay, but it’s there. The "make a run for it" clue isn't designed to stop you; it’s designed to make you think like the person who wrote it. Once you start seeing the world in synonyms and puns, you're not just a solver—you're a pro.