Base verb
Phrasal verbs with run
The verb run combines with 19 particles to form everyday phrasal verbs. Each particle steers the meaning in its own direction — here they are with clear definitions and examples, so you can see the whole family at once.
19 phrasal verbs · 31 meanings
run about
1 sense- Move busily in many directions
run across
1 sense- Encounter someone or something unexpectedly
run after
1 sense- Chase someone by running
run against
1 sense- Be a candidate in the same election as another person
run along
1 sense- Used to tell a child or someone to leave (often dismissively)
run around
1 sense- Go to many places quickly to do tasks
run away
2 senses- Escape by running
- Avoid dealing with a problem or responsibility
run back
1 sense- Return quickly on foot
run behind
1 sense- Be later than scheduled
run by
2 senses- Move past on foot at speed
- Present an idea to someone and ask for their opinion
run down
2 senses- Criticise someone or something
- Hit a person or animal with a vehicle
run into
2 senses- Meet someone or encounter a problem unexpectedly
- Hit someone or something while moving
run off
1 sense- Leave running, often abruptly
run on
2 senses- Continue without stopping, often longer than expected
- Use a particular fuel or power source to work
run out
4 senses- Use all of the available supply
- (of a contract, lease or document) Reach the end of its valid period
- Run out of a building or room
run over
3 senses- Hit and drive over a person or animal with a vehicle
- Quickly review something
- Continue beyond the planned end time
run through
3 senses- Quickly review or rehearse something
- Pierce a person with a sword or sharp weapon
- Be a constant theme or feature in something
run under
1 sense- Spend less than the planned amount
run up
1 sense- Accumulate a debt, bill or score quickly
Sink In — iOS & Android
Practice the run family in Sink In
Drill every sense of run with spaced repetition — recognition, particle cloze, and meaning recall — so the whole family sticks instead of blurring together.
- Learn the pattern behind dozens of verbs at once — not one-off translations.
- Spaced repetition (SM-2) brings each meaning back right before you forget.
- Four practice modes train recall and discrimination, not just recognition.
1,300+ phrasal verbs26 particle patternsBuilt for B1–C2
