Phrasal verb
run over
Meanings
to hit and drive over someone or something with a vehicle
to quickly review or explain something briefly
to go past a limit or exceed the available time or amount
Definition
To run over means to hit and drive over someone or something with a vehicle.
When a vehicle runs over someone or something, it passes over them, usually by accident, and can cause damage or injury. It can also mean to quickly review something or to go beyond a planned limit, such as time. The meaning is usually clear from the context, especially whether a vehicle is involved.
Examples
- The truck nearly ran over my foot as I stepped off the curb.
- She ran over the main points before the presentation started.
- They ran over time because the questions kept coming.
- I’ll run over the checklist one more time before I leave.
- He accidentally ran over a curb while parking in the dark.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse "run over" (hit with a vehicle or quickly review) with "run into" (meet by chance or collide with).
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.