Definition & Meaning of "hit and run"

What is the origin of the idiom "hit and run" and when to use it?

The idiom "hit and run" emerged from the combination of the words "hit" and "run," which individually refer to a collision and the act of fleeing or escaping, respectively. Over time, "hit-and-run" became a widely used term to describe accidents where a driver involved in a collision leaves the scene without stopping to face legal obligations.