expression, godan verb (-u)
flee hastily; make a quick escape
Idiomatic expression meaning to run away quickly, often in a panicked or hurried manner. The image is of fleeing so fast that one 'eats the wind'.
警察が来る前に、泥棒は風を食らった。
The thief fled hastily before the police arrived.
彼は借金取りを見
As soon as he saw the debt collector, he made a quick escape.