Question

Identify the meaning of the given phrase/idiom:
Run into.
a) Meet someone by chance
b) Start quarrelling
c) Make unexpected purchases
d) Run from one place to another

Answer 1

Hint: The phrase ‘run into’ refers to ‘collide with’. This phrase is used liberally in the English language. It has a frequency that makes it a regularly used phrase.

Complete answer:
 This phrase is a colloquially used phrase in the English language. It is something that has a self-explanatory meaning. We will understand its meaning better if we use it in a sentence. It can be used in a sentence in the following way:
For example, in the sentence ‘I ran into an old friend and we ended up talking about our lives now’, the phrase ‘run into’ is used in the past tense. It suggests colliding with a friend that the subject used to know, made them talk and reminisce, and catch up.

Now, we know the meaning and usage of the given phrase. Let’s look at the available options:

a) Meet someone by chance - This phrase refers to ‘meeting someone that you did not expect to meet’. This phrase has the exact same meaning as the given phrase, and it can be used in the same way in the above sentence. This is the required answer. So, this is the correct option.
b) Start quarrelling - This phrase refers to ‘have an argument’. However, this is not what the idiom means. It does not have the same meaning as the given idiom. This is not the required answer. So, this is an incorrect option.
c) Make unexpected purchases - This phrase refers to ‘buying unusual items’. However, this is not what the idiom means. It does not have the same meaning as the given idiom. This is not the required answer. So, this is an incorrect option.
d) Run from one place to another - This phrase refers to ‘going from one place to another hurriedly’. However, this is not what the idiom means. It does not have the same meaning as the given idiom. This is not the required answer. So, this is an incorrect option.

Note:
Try to understand the meaning of the phrase by using it in a sentence. This will clear up the context in which the phrase is being used. Then, go through the given options and choose the required option accordingly.