Also means
to run off; to proceed
Usage Note
ablaufen in games most often describes a timer running out: Die Zeit läuft ab (time is running out). In sports it describes the end of a period. The separable verb also means to walk a route (die Strecke ablaufen) or to expire in a contract context — a genuinely versatile B2 word.
Examples
"Als die Zeit ablief, hatte das Team noch keinen einzigen Punkt erzielt."
Natural Translation
When the time ran out the team had not scored a single point.
Literal Translation
As the time ran-off, had the team still not one single point achieved.
Related Words
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