Phrasal verbs are expressions formed by combining a verb with a preposition or adverb to create a new meaning different from the verb alone. The verb “run” is used in many common phrasal verbs in English, especially in everyday conversation and writing. These phrases often have idiomatic meanings that can’t be understood from run by itself. In this article, you’ll learn the most useful phrasal verbs with run, complete with meanings, example sentences, and how to use them correctly.
22 Phrasal Verbs with RUN: Meanings & Examples
Below you’ll find a list of the most useful phrasal verbs with run. Each one combines run with a preposition or adverb to create a clear and specific meaning. The examples will help you understand how these phrasal verbs are commonly used in everyday English.
1. Run Out (of)
Meaning 1: To use all of something and have no more left.
- We ran out of milk this morning.
- They’re running out of time.
Meaning 2: To be used up or exhausted.
- Our luck is about to run out.
2. Run On
Meaning 1: To continue longer than expected.
- The meeting ran on for three hours.
Meaning 2: To be powered or fueled by something.
- This car runs on electricity.
Meaning 3: To talk continuously. (formal)
- She ran on about her vacation for ages.
Meaning 4: To be printed or written without spacing or interruption. (Of text or numbers)
- The paragraph just runs on without any punctuation.
3. Run For
Meaning: To campaign or try to be elected to a position.
- She ran for president in 2020.
- He’s running for city council.
4. Run Into
Meaning 1: To meet someone unexpectedly.
- I ran into my old teacher at the mall.
Meaning 2: To crash or collide with something.
- He ran into a tree while skiing.
Meaning 3: To experience (a problem or difficulty).
- We ran into traffic on the way.
Meaning 4: To reach a certain level. (Of costs or numbers)
- The repairs could run into thousands of dollars.
5. Run By / Run Past
Meaning: To tell someone about an idea or plan to get their opinion.
- Can I run this proposal by you?
- I’ll run it past my manager first.
6. Run Out On
Meaning: To abandon someone.
- He ran out on his family.
- Don’t run out on your responsibilities.
7. Run Away
Meaning 1: To leave home secretly and stay away.
- She ran away from home at 16.
Meaning 2: To escape from a place or situation.
- The thief ran away before the police arrived.
Meaning 3: To elope or leave suddenly with someone.
- They ran away together to get married.
8. Run Around
Meaning 1: To be very busy going from place to place.
- I’ve been running around all day doing errands.
Meaning 2: (informal) To behave in a careless or uncontrolled way.
- The kids were running around the house screaming.
Meaning 3: (informal) To be unfaithful in a relationship.
- She found out he was running around with someone else.
9. Run Over
Meaning 1: To hit someone/something with a vehicle.
- The driver accidentally ran over a squirrel.
Meaning 2: To go over time or a limit.
- The show ran over by 10 minutes.
Meaning 3: To quickly review or explain something.
- Let me run over the plan with you again.
Meaning 4: To overflow.
- The bathtub ran over and flooded the bathroom.
10. Run Across
Meaning: To find or discover something by chance.
- I ran across some old letters in the attic.
11. Run Off
Meaning 1: To leave suddenly.
- He ran off without saying goodbye.
Meaning 2: To make printed copies.
- She ran off ten copies of the handout.
Meaning 3: To cause someone to leave by chasing them.
- The farmer ran off the trespassers.
Meaning 4: To elope or escape together.
- They ran off and got married in secret.
12. Run Through
Meaning 1: To practice or rehearse something.
- Let’s run through the presentation one more time.
Meaning 2: To use or spend quickly.
- They ran through their savings in a few months.
Meaning 3: To pierce or stab with something.
- The knight ran his enemy through with a sword.
13. Run Up
Meaning 1: To accumulate (usually debt or costs).
- He ran up a huge credit card bill.
Meaning 2: To quickly approach someone.
- She ran up to me with exciting news.
Meaning 3: To hoist (usually a flag).
- They ran up the flag on Independence Day.
14. Run Down
Meaning 1: To lose power or energy.
- My phone’s battery ran down.
Meaning 2: To hit someone with a vehicle.
- He was run down while crossing the street.
Meaning 3: To criticize someone unfairly.
- She always runs down her coworkers.
Meaning 4: To search for and find someone or something.
- The police ran down all the leads.
15. Run Against
Meaning 1: To oppose someone in an election.
- He’s running against the current mayor.
Meaning 2: To be in conflict with something.
- That plan runs against company policy.
16. Run With
Meaning 1: To accept and develop an idea.
- Let’s run with that idea and see where it goes.
Meaning 2: To be in a group or crowd.
- He runs with a rough crowd.
Meaning 3: To proceed without hesitation.
- We decided to run with the first draft.
17. Run After
Meaning: To chase or pursue.
- The dog ran after the ball.
- She’s always running after bad boys.
18. Run Along
Meaning: To tell someone (especially a child) to leave. (informal)
- Now run along and play outside.
19. Run In
Meaning 1: To quickly bring someone to the police station.
- The suspect was run in for questioning.
Meaning 2: To break in a new car or engine slowly.
- You need to run in the engine carefully.
Meaning 3: To enter a place quickly.
- She ran in to grab her keys.
20. Run To
Meaning 1: To seek help or support.
- She always runs to her parents when things go wrong.
Meaning 2: To amount to a certain length or cost.
- The book runs to 500 pages.
- The bill ran to over $100.
21. Run Up Against
Meaning: To face unexpected difficulties or opposition.
- We ran up against some legal issues.
22. Run Up On
Meaning: To approach someone aggressively or suddenly. (informal/slang)
- He ran up on them yelling.
Quiz: Phrasal Verbs with RUN
Choose the correct phrasal verb to complete each sentence.
1. We need to stop at the store because we’ve ____ milk.
a) run over
b) run into
c) run out of
2. I’ll ____ the idea with my supervisor before finalizing it.
a) run by
b) run off
c) run after
3. He ____ an old friend from college at the airport yesterday.
a) ran out
b) ran into
c) ran away
4. The kids ____ the yard playing tag.
a) ran through
b) ran across
c) ran around
5. She ____ her savings in just a few months.
a) ran off
b) ran through
c) ran down
6. That plan might ____ some company policies.
a) run across
b) run against
c) run through
7. The dog ____ the mailman and scared him.
a) ran down
b) ran after
c) ran over
8. My car ____ diesel, not gasoline.
a) runs off
b) runs into
c) runs on
9. He was ____ by a car while crossing the street.
a) run off
b) run down
c) run away
10. She ____ her responsibilities and disappeared.
a) ran up
b) ran out on
c) ran over
Quiz Answers
1) run out of
2) run by
3) ran into
4) ran around
5) ran through
6) run against
7) ran after
8) runs on
9) run down
10) ran out on
