Phrasal verb
run into
To run into someone means to meet them unexpectedly.
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
"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.