PHRASAL VERBS WITH RUN — EXERCISE 1 (ESL)
level: Advanced (C1/C2)
Run phrasal verbs range from the fairly literal (run away, run out) to the entirely figurative (run for office, run up a bill). The same base verb and particle can sometimes combine in more than one way, so context is key. Definitions are provided in brackets throughout to help you identify the intended meaning.
ABOUT PHRASAL VERBS WITH RUN
Run carries a sense of movement and speed in its basic form, and those qualities thread through several of its phrasal combinations — though many develop strongly figurative or idiomatic meanings.
A few notable patterns: run into and run across both mean to encounter unexpectedly, though run into is more common in American English. Run out of (to exhaust a supply) and run up (to accumulate a debt or tab) are high-frequency in everyday speech. Run for in the political sense — to be a candidate — is particularly common in news and current affairs English.
What makes run phrasal verbs worth studying carefully is that several of them have close synonyms that are more formal — encounter, exhaust, accumulate — so knowing them helps you recognise register shifts in both listening and reading.
Run carries a sense of movement and speed in its basic form, and those qualities thread through several of its phrasal combinations — though many develop strongly figurative or idiomatic meanings.
A few notable patterns: run into and run across both mean to encounter unexpectedly, though run into is more common in American English. Run out of (to exhaust a supply) and run up (to accumulate a debt or tab) are high-frequency in everyday speech. Run for in the political sense — to be a candidate — is particularly common in news and current affairs English.
What makes run phrasal verbs worth studying carefully is that several of them have close synonyms that are more formal — encounter, exhaust, accumulate — so knowing them helps you recognise register shifts in both listening and reading.
Choose the correct preposition to complete each of the following sentences.
1. We ran ________ ( = met, saw) your brother at the mall last night.
1.We ran ________ ( = met, saw) your brother at the mall last night.
Correct answer: into — run into = meet someone unexpectedly.
2.He ran ________ without paying the bill. ( = escaped, fled)
Correct answer: off — run off = leave quickly, flee (without paying or with permission revoked).
3.Peter ran ________ the door.
Correct answer: out — run out = exit quickly through a door or space.
4.They ran ________ ( = accumulated) quite a tab at the bar last night.
Correct answer: up — run up = accumulate (a debt, a bill, or a tab).
5.We've run ________ milk. = We have no more milk.
Correct answer: out of — run out of = exhaust one's supply of something.
6.He ran his idea ________ the boss. = He explained his idea to his boss.
Correct answer: by — run something by someone = tell or explain something to get their reaction.
7.The senator has plans to run ________ ( = try to become) president.
Correct answer: for — run for = be a candidate for political office.
8.I'm going to run ________ ( = make) some photocopies.
Correct answer: off — run off = make or produce copies quickly.
9.Let's run ________ ( = quickly review) this week's releases.
Correct answer: through — run through = quickly review, rehearse, or go over something.
10.We ran ________ ( = encountered) a lot of resistance.
Correct answer: up against — run up against = encounter or face (resistance, difficulty, or a problem).
TRY ALL OF OUR PHRASAL VERB EXERCISES:
Phrasal verbs (mixed) 1 (I/A)
Phrasal verbs (mixed) 2 (I/A)
Phrasal verbs (to break +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to call +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to come +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to go +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to make +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to pull +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to put +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to run +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to stand +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to take +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to turn +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to get +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to get +) 2 (C1/C2)
Transitive/intransitive phrasal verbs 1 (I)
Separable/inseparable phrasal verbs 1 (I/A)
Separable/inseparable phrasal verbs 2 (I/A)
Phrasal verbs list — the most common phrasal verbs in everyday English
Phrasal verbs (mixed) 1 (I/A)
Phrasal verbs (mixed) 2 (I/A)
Phrasal verbs (to break +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to call +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to come +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to go +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to make +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to pull +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to put +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to run +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to stand +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to take +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to turn +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to get +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to get +) 2 (C1/C2)
Transitive/intransitive phrasal verbs 1 (I)
Separable/inseparable phrasal verbs 1 (I/A)
Separable/inseparable phrasal verbs 2 (I/A)
Phrasal verbs list — the most common phrasal verbs in everyday English
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