run into
B1-B2Informal to Neutral
Definition
Meaning
To meet or encounter someone by chance.
To experience an unexpected problem or difficulty; to collide with something; to reach a particular amount or level.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
A separable phrasal verb with three primary meanings: accidental meeting, encountering problems, and colliding. Often implies lack of planning or an unexpected occurrence.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. 'Run into' for 'collide with' is slightly more common in American English for vehicle collisions, while UK speakers might also use 'crash into'.
Connotations
Neutral for meeting; slightly negative for problems/collisions.
Frequency
Very common in both varieties, especially for 'meet by chance'.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] + run into + [Object (person/problem)][Subject] + run + [Object (bill/cost)] + into + [amount]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Run into a brick wall (meet stubborn resistance)”
- “Run into the ground (overuse or ruin something)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Common for discussing unexpected costs ('The project ran into millions') or problems ('We ran into licensing issues').
Academic
Rare in formal writing; used in spoken reports about research difficulties.
Everyday
Very common for describing chance meetings ('I ran into Sam at the cinema') or minor setbacks.
Technical
Used literally in engineering/automotive contexts ('The car ran into a barrier').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- I might run into Liam at the football match.
- Their plans ran into serious opposition from the council.
- Repairs could run into thousands of pounds.
American English
- I ran into my professor at the grocery store.
- The software upgrade ran into compatibility problems.
- The bill ran into the hundreds of dollars.
adverb
British English
- (Not applicable as a phrasal verb does not have an adverb form.)
American English
- (Not applicable as a phrasal verb does not have an adverb form.)
adjective
British English
- (Not applicable as a phrasal verb does not have an adjective form.)
American English
- (Not applicable as a phrasal verb does not have an adjective form.)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I ran into my neighbour yesterday.
- The cat ran into the house.
- We ran into bad weather on our hike.
- If you run into any problems, call me.
- I hope I run into her at the party.
- The company ran into financial difficulties after the market crash.
- Their research ran into a number of ethical concerns.
- The cost of the wedding is running into five figures.
- His ambitious proposals immediately ran into a wall of bureaucratic resistance.
- While the initial estimates were modest, development costs have run into the millions.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine literally RUNNING INTO an old friend on the street—it's sudden, unplanned, and a bit surprising.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROBLEMS ARE PHYSICAL OBSTACLES (we run into them); CHANCE IS A PHYSICAL COLLISION.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate literally as 'бегать в'. For 'meet', use 'столкнуться с (кем-то)' or 'встретить случайно'. For problems, use 'натолкнуться на (проблему)'.
- Avoid using 'run into' to mean 'enter quickly' (as in Russian 'забежать в магазин') – that's 'pop into'.
Common Mistakes
- *I ran into the shop for some milk. (Use 'popped into')
- *We ran into a great restaurant. (Use 'came across' or 'found')
- Incorrect word order: *I ran my friend into at the station.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'run into' CORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is neutral to informal. It's common in everyday speech and business contexts but might be replaced with 'encounter' or 'experience' in very formal writing.
Primarily for neutral (meetings) or negative things (problems, collisions). For positive unexpected finds like 'a great book', use 'come across' or 'stumble upon'.
They are often interchangeable for 'meet by chance'. 'Bump into' is slightly more informal and implies a lighter, more social encounter. Only 'run into' is used for problems and large amounts ('run into money').
No, it is NOT separable. The object always comes after the entire phrasal verb: 'I ran into my boss.' Never *'I ran my boss into.'