Basic Phrasal Verbs with RUN
Below the phrasal verb run is shown in its many forms.
RUN ACROSS = find or meet unexpectedly
I ran across some old photos while I was cleaning my house.
RUN AFTER = chase
Mother was running after her three children all day.
RUN AGAINST = compete in an election
OBAMA ran against McCAIN in the 2008 U.S. elections and, unfortunately, won.
RUN ALONG = go away or leave
"Run along and play outside," said mother, as she had housework to do.
RUN AWAY = leave home permanently
The child ran away because her parents beat her.
RUN AWAY FROM = avoid responsibility
The young father ran away from his responsibility and didn't support his family.
RUN DOWN = A. find, discover B. criticise C. hit with a car D. become very tired, loose power
A. Have you run down those names on the voter list?
B. I know a guy who runs everyone down.
C. My cat was run down yesterday.
D. My wife was really run down after the holidays.
RUN FOR = campaign for government office
I was thinking about running for mayor.
RUN IN = arrested, questioned by police
My neighbor was run in for shoplifting last week.
RUN INTO = meet unexpectedly
I ran into my English teacher at the movies last night. She's so nice!
RUN OFF = A. make leave B. reproduce C. leave quickly D. waste water
A. The new government is trying to run the drug traffickers off.
B. Would you mind running off 10 copies of this document for me?
C. Why did you run off after the party?
D. You shouldn't swim where the sewage runs off into the ocean.
RUN OUT OF = not have any more
When mother ran out of milk, she would send me to the store.
RUN OUT ON = leave stranded
She ran out on him leaving him to pay the rent and all the bills.
RUN OVER = practice,
Let's run through our lines for the school play.
RUN THROUGH = rehearse, review
He ran over his notes before the big meeting.
RUN UP = A. increase, spend B. (against) encounter unexpected problems
A. He ran up a huge phone bill when he went to the army.
B. He ran up against some unexpected problems in his business.
RUN TO = go to sme for help
He ran to his uncle for financial help during the crisis.
RUN WITH = keep company, hang out with
He runs with a rough crowd, no wonder he ened up in jail.
