run into

What does "run into" mean?

1. To meet someone by chance
2. To collide with something
3. To experience an unexpected problem
4. To reach a particular amount or level

Examples

• I ran into my old teacher at the supermarket.
• The car ran into a tree during the storm.
• We ran into some problems with the software.
• The repair costs could run into thousands of dollars.
• You never know who you'll run into at these events.

How to use it

'Run into' someone is very common for unexpected meetings. For problems, it's similar to 'encounter'. For amounts, it indicates reaching a large sum.

Similar expressions

Opposites

Related phrasal verbs

• run by

  To tell someone about an idea to get their opinion

• run out

  To use all of something so there is none left

• run over

  To hit someone or something with a vehicle

• run away

  To leave a place or person quickly to escape

• run up

  To accumulate a large bill or debt

• run down

  To criticize someone unfairly