run into someone

Meaning

This expression means to meet someone unexpectedly or by chance, without planning it beforehand. It is commonly used when bumping into friends, colleagues, or acquaintances in public places like supermarkets or on the street. The tone is casual and friendly.

Examples

• Guess who I ran into at the grocery store yesterday? Our old high school teacher!

  Guess who I ran into at the grocery store yesterday? Our old high school teacher!

• I hope I don't run into my ex while I'm out shopping today.

  I hope I don't run into my ex while I'm out shopping today.

• It was so nice to run into you this morning; we should grab coffee sometime.

  It was so nice to run into you this morning; we should grab coffee sometime.

• She ran into an old college friend while traveling in Paris.

  She ran into an old college friend while traveling in Paris.

• If you run into Mike, tell him he still owes me twenty dollars.

  If you run into Mike, tell him he still owes me twenty dollars.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I ran into with my boss at the mall.

  ✓ I ran into my boss at the mall.

  Do not use 'with' after 'run into'. The preposition 'into' already connects the action to the person.

• ✗ I ran to my friend yesterday.

  ✓ I ran into my friend yesterday.

  'Run to' means physically running toward someone. To meet by chance, you must use 'run into'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I didn't expect to ___ my neighbor at the airport.

  💡 meet by chance

  Show answer

  run into

• She ___ an old classmate while walking her dog.

  💡 past tense of run into

  Show answer

  ran into