What Does “Run up against sb” Mean?
“Run up against sb” means to face an obstacle or difficulty caused by a person. It often refers to encountering opposition or conflict with someone.
Introduction
The phrasal verb “run up against sb” is commonly used in English to describe situations where you meet resistance or problems caused by another person. Understanding the “run up against sb meaning” helps learners express challenges in conversations clearly. For example, you might say you “run up against a manager” when your ideas are rejected or “run up against a neighbor” if there is a disagreement. This phrase is useful in both formal and informal contexts and adds nuance when talking about conflicts.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: run up against somebody
- Type: transitive
- Level: B2
- Short meaning: to face problems or opposition caused by someone
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Run up against sb” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means the verb and particle stay together and cannot be separated by the object.
Correct pattern: run up against + somebody
- We ran up against a lot of difficulties.
- She ran up against her teacher’s strict rules.
Incorrect: run someone up against
How to Use Run up against sb?
You use “run up against sb” when talking about meeting resistance or problems caused by a person. It often implies a challenge or conflict that slows progress or causes difficulty. It is usually about authority figures, colleagues, neighbors, or anyone who creates obstacles.
It can be used in past, present, or future tense:
- I ran up against some strict rules yesterday.
- We often run up against problems with the new manager.
- They will run up against opposition if they change the plan.
Examples
Here are some natural examples to help you understand how to use “run up against sb in a sentence”:
- During the project, we ran up against the CEO’s objections.
- She ran up against her neighbor’s complaints about noise.
- The team often runs up against difficulties with the new software.
- He ran up against his boss’s strict deadlines last week.
- We might run up against some resistance from the board if we suggest changes.
Common Mistakes
Many learners confuse the word order or use the phrase incorrectly. Here are some examples:
- Incorrect: I ran someone up against the rules.
- Correct: I ran up against the rules.
- Incorrect: She runs against up some problems.
- Correct: She runs up against some problems.
Remember, the phrase is inseparable, so the object must come after “run up against.”
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrasal verbs include “come up against” and “bump into,” but they have different meanings:
- Run up against: face opposition or problems caused by someone
- Come up against: face difficulties or obstacles (not necessarily a person)
- Bump into: meet someone by chance
For example, you “run up against your manager” (conflict), but you “bump into your manager” if you meet them unexpectedly.
Common Collocations
“Run up against sb” is often used with certain people or groups. Here are some common collocations:
- Run up against a manager – face opposition from a boss
- Run up against rules – meet strict regulations
- Run up against a neighbor – have a disagreement with someone nearby
- Run up against objections – face complaints or protests
- Run up against resistance – meet strong opposition
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of run up against sb:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using “run up against sb”:
Anna: We tried to change the schedule, but we ran up against the manager’s strict rules.
Ben: That’s frustrating. Did you talk to him about it?
Anna: Yes, but he wasn’t flexible. We’ll have to find another solution.
Practice
Try to complete the sentences with the correct form of “run up against sb”:
- Last week, I __________ some problems with my team leader.
- We often __________ difficulties when working with new clients.
- They will __________ opposition if they decide to change the policy.
FAQ
- What does “run up against sb” mean? It means to face problems or opposition caused by a person.
- Is “run up against sb” separable? No, it is an inseparable phrasal verb.
- Can I use “run up against” with things, not people? Yes, but usually with obstacles or problems, not a person.
- What is the difference between “run up against” and “come up against”? “Run up against” often involves a person causing problems; “come up against” is more general obstacles.
- Is “run up against sb” formal or informal? It can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
