Phrasal verb
run into
Meanings
to meet someone unexpectedly by chance
to hit something or someone accidentally, especially with a vehicle
to suddenly experience or encounter a problem or difficulty
Definition
To run into someone means to meet them unexpectedly.
"Run into" most commonly means to meet someone by chance when you were not planning to. It can also mean to hit something with a vehicle or your body, or to unexpectedly face a problem. The meaning is usually clear from the context.
Examples
- I ran into my old teacher at the grocery store.
- You might run into traffic on the way to the airport.
- He ran into a friend from college at the concert.
- She ran into a problem with her passport at the hotel check-in.
- They ran into a deer on a dark country road.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse "run into" (meet by chance) with "meet up with" (arrange to meet).
More phrasal verbs
- go on To go on means to continue or keep happening.
- carry out To carry out something means to do it or complete it, especially a plan, task, or instruction.
- set up To set up means to arrange or prepare something so it is ready to use or happen.
- pick up “Pick up” most commonly means to collect someone or something from a place, usually by going there.
- go back To go back means to return to a place, time, or earlier situation.