Phrasal Verbs: Run

Let’s learn phrasal verbs with run.

Level B1/B2

A phrasal verb is an idiomatic phrase consisting of a verb and another element, typically either an adverb, as in break down, or a preposition, for example see to, or a combination of both, such as look down on.

run across – натрапити на

If you run across someone or something, you meet them or find them unexpectedly. I hadn’t seen Gloria for ages when I ran across her in the supermarket. We’ve run across a slight problem with the instruction manual. I ran across the letter while I was tidying the drawers.

run (around) after – бігати за; переслідувати

I ran after the bus, but it didn’t stop for me. If you run after two hares, you will catch neither. Two policemen ran after the robber. He enjoyed himself making the dog run after beggars. She seemed content to let Valerie run around after her and do everything for her.

run away – тікати

Everyone ran away from the explosion. His first instinct was to run away from danger. The thief had run away when the policemen came. He was slightly ashamed at having run away.

run against – протистояти

Luck is really running against you tonight! Who is going to run against Senator Brown? I don’t want to run against you. Fortune seems to run against him recently.

run by /past – викласти, пояснити чи описати щось

To run by means to explain or describe something to one; to inform one about something. To run by is to tell someone your ideas so that they can give you their opinion. Can I run a few ideas by you? I have an idea I’d like to run by you. To run past means to explain or describe something to one; to inform one about something. I have an idea I’d like to run past you. OK, run the plan past me one more time.

run down – критикувати когось чи щось несправедливо; збігати; розряджатися

To run down means to criticize someone or something unfairly or unkindly; become reduced in size, numbers, or resources; stop functioning due to losing power. You mustn’t keep running yourself down. The battery has run down. Hardwood stocks in some countries are rapidly running down. The country’snuclear industry is being run down. You’re run down – you need a vacation.

run into – зіткнутися

I ran into my English teacher at the shopping mall. He has run into trouble in his job. The pilot told the control tower that he’d run into technical trouble. Be careful not to run into debt.

run in – арештувати; бути притаманним членам сім’ї

To run in means arrest someone. He didn’t take time and ran him in. He was run in for drunk and disorderly behaviour. To run in means be common or inherent in members of a family, especially over several generations. Weight problems run in my family. Intelligence seems to run in that family.

run on – продовжуватися

To run on means to continue without stopping; go on longer than is expected. I hope this meeting doesn’t run on too long. The story ran on for months.

run to – звертатися за допомогою; досягати

To run to means to try to use someone for support or help. Don’t come running to me for a handout. Aren’t you a little old to run to your mother? He plans to increase the print run to 1,000. Our budget won’t run to replacing all the computers.

run up – зробити щось швидко; збільшуватися

To run up means make something quickly or hurriedly, especially a piece of clothing. I can run up a pair of curtains in a day. She can run up a dress in an evening. To run up means to allow a debt or bill to accumulate. I’ve run up debts totaling more than ￡1,000.

run off – тікати; відтворити/копіювати; писати щось швидко та без зусиль

Their dad ran off when they were little. My wife has run off with another man. The treasurer has run off with the club’s funds. To run off means to reproduce/copy/photocopy/xerox copies of a piece of writing, music, etc. on a machine. Please run off some copies of that report. To run off means to write something quickly and with little effort. I ran off an article on the history of the Christmas tree. He could run off a five-page essay in an hour.

run out (of) – вичерпатися

Many hospitals are running out of money. They have run out of ideas. I have run out of patience with her. He’s run out of excuses for not tidying his room. I’ve run out of milk/money/ideas/patience.

run along – іти геть

Run along is said to children to tell them to go away. Run along now, children! Run along now, all of you! I’m busy now. Run along now! I’ve got work to finish. Run along now, sonny; mummy wants to have a rest.

run around – бігати туди-сюди

Run around means to be very busy doing a lot of different things. I’m exhausted – I’ve been running around all morning.

run over – переїхати; переглядати; переливатися через край

To run over is to knock a person or animal down and pass over their body. Anna accidentally ran over their cat. He was run over and killed by a bus. This box looks as if it’s been run over by a bus. I always run over my lines before going on stage. I’m afraid we’re starting to run over time, so could you make your speeches short please. Feature movies always run over budget.

run through – переглядати

To run through means to go over something quickly as a reminder or rehearsal. I’ll just run through the schedule for the weekend. Can we run through Scene 3 again, please? The director wants to run through the whole play this morning.

run for – намагатися перемогти

To run for means to attempt to win something; to compete in an election. He’s running for mayor again this year. She made a run for a seat in the Senate.

run low – мати невеликий запас чогось

To run low means to have a small supply of something because the rest of it has already been used. We are running low on fuel. Supplies were running low. Our stocks of meat are running low.

Have practice. These grammar exercises test your ability to use phrasal verbs with run. 

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