A: It turns out Mary’s boyfriend lied about his education and job. He’s not a college teacher but a security guard at the university.

B: Such revelations would be enough to make most people run for the hills.

Note: This idiom, whose exact origin is unknown, likely dates back centuries. It means “extremely unwilling to be involved in something and to avoid it.” Historically, people living in rural areas were more likely to encounter wild animals or invading armies and would need to flee quickly to avoid harm. Running for higher ground could also provide protection from floods or other natural disasters.