run across
B1 neutral inseparable transitive
In simple words
to find something or meet someone when you were not looking for it
Literal meaning: to run from one side to another across something
Meanings
1 B1
idiomatic
neutral
to find something by chance
"I ran across an old letter while cleaning the drawer."
"I ran across this quote by chance and I had to share it."
— Common public-figure/social-media wording; exact source not reliably recalled
Grammar: inseparable
2 B1
idiomatic
neutral
to meet someone unexpectedly
"I ran across my old math teacher at the station."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Very common for accidental discovery of information, objects, and sometimes people. More common in American English than British English.
Commonly used with
article name old photo friend information idea
Forms
Base
run across
I/you/we/they
3rd person
runs across
he/she/it
Past simple
ran across
yesterday
Past participle
run across
have + pp
-ing form
running across
continuous
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Synonyms
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