bump into
A2 neutral inseparable transitive
In simple words
To accidentally hit someone or something, or to meet someone you know by surprise.
Literal meaning: To physically bump (collide) into a person or object.
Meanings
1 A2 neutral
To accidentally collide with someone or something.
"She wasn't looking where she was going and bumped into a lamppost."
Grammar: inseparable
2 A2
idiomatic
neutral
To meet someone you know by chance, without planning to.
"I bumped into my old university professor at the supermarket yesterday."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
One of the most commonly used phrasal verbs for unexpected meetings. The physical sense (collision) is transparent; the meeting sense is idiomatic. Both senses are common in everyday conversation.
Commonly used with
old friend colleague table wall someone ex
Forms
Base
bump into
I/you/we/they
3rd person
bumps into
he/she/it
Past simple
bumped into
yesterday
Past participle
bumped into
have + pp
-ing form
bumping into
continuous
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