elope

elope to Gretna Green

To travel somewhere else in order to take advantage of that place's liberal marriage laws. (Gretna Green, a Scottish town on the border between Scotland and England, became a popular wedding destination after the 1754 Marriage Act required parental consent for couples under the age of 21 to get married in England and Wales.) Primarily heard in UK. Did Aunt Barbara and Uncle Al really elope to Gretna Green when they were 18? If your parents don't approve of us getting married, then we should just elope to Gretna Green.
See also: elope, green

elope with (someone)

To marry someone suddenly and secretively. I wish I could just elope with my fiancé, but my family is insistent that I have a big wedding.
See also: elope
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

elope with someone

to sneak away with someone and get married without much ceremony. Sally eloped with Tom, and everyone was surprised. I don't want to elope with Juan. I want a church wedding.
See also: elope
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • elope to Gretna Green
  • elope with
  • elope with (someone)
  • come to a climax
  • be up to par
  • be up to the mark
  • up to the mark
  • bring (something) to a climax
  • climax
  • up to par
References in periodicals archive
If I had my way, I would run away and elope somewhere.
Aoibhin: Why I wed much prefer a quiet ceremony
Poverty is also blamed for girls' bid to elope with men.
22 Yemeni girls went missing in two months
"Sadly she had a major stroke last year and can't travel if they do elope. Basically Jen has to choose between her mum and her dream wedding."
Kenya make it to altar first Jen? SHE'LL BEAT BRAD TO WED
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], Sep 5 ( ANI ): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Ram Kadam has issued a clarification on his 'elope' remark and said that his statement was quoted out of context.
Being quoted out of context: BJP MLA on 'elope' remark
The car dealer left Albert Square five years ago when wife Peggy discovered his plans to elope with lover Pat.
Frank's return
Summary: Muzaffarnagar (Uttar Pradesh) [India], August 29 (ANI): The Uttar Pradesh police on Tuesday said that a 15-year-old girl had allegedly committed suicide by setting herself ablaze in Muzaffarnagar's Shahpur area when her lover refused to elope.
Muzaffarnagar: Minor girl sets herself ablaze as lover refused to elope
Brooke Vincent, who plays Sophie, tells us about her plans to elope with Sian ?
'Sophie knows that she did fancy Amber '
NOT that many of us really care, but latest reports are that Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck are planning to elope.
192: Now J-Lo's set to elope
Theroux is said to be keen on a ceremony back in Hollywood but the 'Friends' star, 43, is keen to elope.
Aniston and Theroux 'to wed in Kenya' ahead of Brangelina nuptials
Washington, Oct 5 (ANI): Reality TV star Kim Kardashian has said that she would ''elope'' with her husband Kris Humphries if she could ever re-live her wedding day because she found the lavish nuptials ''so stressful''.
Kim Kardashian would 'elope' with Kris if she could relive her wedding day
London, Mar 29 (ANI): Singer Jessica Simpson has revealed that she wants to have a low-key wedding with her NFL fiance Eric Johnson and that they might even elope.
Jessica Simpson might elope with fiance Eric Johnson
They had to elope since the society would not have accepted their relationship," Pal said.
Gurgaon girl goes missing
London, July 02 (ANI): Australian singer Kylie Minogue has told her parents not to expect a lavish wedding if she ever marries, insisting that she would 'elope and do it really quietly'.
Kylie Minogue says no to lavish wedding
Gardai had launched a massive search after a 25-year-old African tried to elope with innocent Stephanie Domingos.
Steph, 12 is back at home
Washington, May 16 (ANI): Anna Faris is drawing plans to elope to stay away from the fuss of a huge wedding.
Anna Faris plans to elope to avoid wedding fuss