Running like a scalded dog

Meaning

Moving at an extremely high speed, often while panicked or frantic. It describes someone or something bolting away with zero hesitation.

Vivid, intense

Used in a sentence

• The thief saw the police cruiser and took off running like a scalded dog.
• He saw the bear in the woods and started running like a scalded dog back to the truck.
• When the alarm went off, the intern was running like a scalded dog to find the exit.