lam lam /ˈlæm/

noun

1. [Informal, N. American] A rapid escape (as by criminals)  ( getaway , lam [Informal, N. American] )
   a rapid escape (as by criminals)
    The thieves made a clean getaway
   the thieves made a clean getaway
    After the expose he had to take it on the lam
   after the expose he had to take it on the lam
   

verb

1. () [Informal, N. American] Flee; take to one's heels; cut and run  ( break away , bunk [Informal] , escape , fly the coop [Informal] , head for the hills [Informal] , hightail it [Informal, N. American] , scarper [Informal, British] , scat [Informal] , take to the woods [Informal] , lam [Informal, N. American] , run , run away , turn tail [Informal] )
   flee; take to one's heels; cut and run
    If you see this man, run!
   If you see this man, run!
    The burglars escaped before the police showed up
   The burglars escaped before the police showed up
   
2. () Give a thrashing to; beat hard  ( thresh , flail , lam , thrash )
   give a thrashing to; beat hard