Part 2 of 2 · Same verb · different particle

“run” phrasal verbs

Same verb, different particle, different meaning. “run” has 8 of them, so they come in 2 parts. Learn these 4 one at a time, then test yourself.

8 phrasal verbslisten & quiz

run

over through up up against

run + over · 1 of 4

run over

hit with a vehicle

run over sth

To hit and drive over someone or something with a vehicle, usually by accident.

How oftenCommon

LevelB1

Used inMostly spoken

Examples

The driver didn't see the cat and accidentally ran over it.

A: Why is there a police car outside?
B: Someone ran over a cyclist on the corner.

Common mistake

Not: He was run over ~~from~~ a car.

Say: He was run over by a car.

In the passive, use 'run over BY' — not 'from'.

More on “run over”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

Last year, my friend was almost run over by a car while crossing the street, so now she's much more careful.

Tell it apart

A car ran over the dog.

hit and drove over it

The car ran into a wall.

collided head-on

Goes with

run over + victim

Practice saying this

Next: run through

run + through · 2 of 4

run through

practice or rehearse

run through sth

To quickly practice or review something, such as a plan, performance, or list, often to make sure everything is correct.

How oftenCommon

LevelB1

Used inMostly spoken

Examples

Let's run through the presentation one more time before the meeting.

A: Are you ready for your speech?
B: Not yet. I want to run through it again to make sure I remember everything.

Common mistake

Not: Let's run through ~~with~~ the plan.

Say: Let's run through the plan.

'Run through' takes the object directly — no 'with'.

More on “run through”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

Before my exam, I always run through my notes to refresh my memory.

Tell it apart

We ran through the routine twice.

rehearsed it

We ran through our savings fast.

used them all up

Goes with

run through + material

Practice saying this

Next: run up

run + up · 3 of 4

run up

to allow a bill or debt to increase

run up sth

To spend money or use services so that you owe a large amount, often without noticing how much it adds up.

How oftenCommon

LevelB2

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

He ran up a huge phone bill calling his friends overseas.

A: Why is my credit card statement so high?
B: You probably ran up a lot of charges eating out last month.

Common mistake

Not: She ran up of a big bill.

Say: She ran up a big bill.

'Run up' takes the object directly — no 'of'.

More on “run up”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

In my opinion, it's easy for students to run up debts if they don't keep track of their spending.

Tell it apart

He ran up a huge phone bill.

let it grow large

He paid off his phone bill.

cleared it

Goes with

run up + bill/debt

Practice saying this

Next: run up against

run + up against · 4 of 4

run up against

encounter (unexpected) difficulty or opposition

run up against sth sth

to suddenly face a problem, difficulty, or resistance, especially when you did not expect it.

How oftenNow and then

LevelC1

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

We ran up against several unexpected issues when launching the new software.

A: How's the project going?
B: It's mostly fine, but we ran up against some legal problems we hadn't anticipated.

Common mistake

Not: We ran up against ~~with~~ a few problems.

Say: We ran up against a few problems.

'Run up against' takes the object directly — no 'with'.

More on “run up against”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

In my experience, students often run up against difficulties when adapting to a new education system, especially if the teaching style is very different from what they're used to.

Tell it apart

We ran up against fierce opposition.

hit unexpected resistance

We came up with a solution.

thought of one

Goes with

run up against + obstacle

Practice saying this

Test yourself: which “run” fits?

Fill the gap

Which “run” fits?

Read the sentence, then pick the phrasal verb that belongs in the gap.

All of “run”

8 phrasal verbs in 2 parts.

Turn this into speaking practice

Pick one and say it out loud. Save the ones you mix up.

run over run through run up run up against