run across
B1-B2Informal to Neutral
Definition
Meaning
To meet or find someone or something by chance, unexpectedly.
To encounter or come upon someone or something without planning or intent; can also imply crossing a physical area quickly.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used for accidental meetings or discoveries. The sense of physically crossing something (e.g., "run across the road") is literal and separate from the main phrasal verb meaning. The focus is on the unexpected nature of the encounter.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. 'Bump into' is a slightly more common informal synonym in UK English for meeting people.
Connotations
Neutral; implies a casual, unplanned event. Not used for formal arranged meetings.
Frequency
Equally common and understood in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
SUBJ + run across + OBJ (person/thing)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Run across someone's path/mind”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Informal: 'I ran across a competitor's report online.'
Academic
Neutral: 'While researching, I ran across a pertinent 19th-century study.'
Everyday
Common: 'Guess who I ran across at the supermarket?'
Technical
Rare; the literal sense ('the cable runs across the ceiling') is more likely.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- I ran across Liam at the cinema last weekend.
- She ran across some lovely photos while tidying the loft.
American English
- I ran across my old professor at the conference.
- Did you run across that article I mentioned?
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I ran across Maria in the park.
- He ran across an interesting website while browsing.
- If you run across any data supporting this theory, please send it to me.
- The historian ran across the lost correspondence purely by serendipity.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine you are out for a RUN and you come ACROSS a friend unexpectedly. RUN + ACROSS = meet by chance.
Conceptual Metaphor
PATH / JOURNEY (Life is a path; encounters are things found on that path).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не переводится буквально как "бежать через".
- Не является синонимом "встретить" для запланированных встреч. Используйте "meet".
- Может быть перепутано с "run into" (столкнуться физически или встретить).
Common Mistakes
- Using it for planned meetings. (Incorrect: *'I ran across my dentist at my appointment.')
- Confusing with 'run into' which can also mean a physical collision.
- Using a continuous tense unnaturally. (Less common: 'I was running across him.').
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'run across' used correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Meet' can be planned or accidental. 'Run across' is only for accidental, unplanned encounters.
Yes, it is very common for both: 'run across an old friend' or 'run across an interesting fact'.
It is neutral to informal. In very formal writing, 'encounter' or 'come across' might be preferred.
They are often synonymous for meetings. 'Run into' can also mean a physical collision. 'Run across' is slightly more common for discovering information or objects.