run over

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A phrasal verb meaning to hit with a vehicle, review quickly, exceed a time limit, or overflow.
Practice using run over in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • The car nearly ran over a cyclist.
  • Let's run over the plan one more time.
  • Foam ran over the edge of the sink.
  • The interview ran over, so the next guest had to wait.
  • A truck ran over the fallen sign.

Similar words

check
rehearse
continue past
drive over
review
summarize
brim over
hit
pour over
strike

Meanings

Hit with a vehicle

everyday
neutral
To hit a person, animal, or object with a vehicle and often pass over them.

Examples

  • The car nearly ran over a cyclist.
  • A truck ran over the fallen sign.
  • Slow down so you do not run over the curb.
  • The dog was lucky not to be run over.
  • He was charged after he ran over a traffic cone.

Similar words

hit
knock down
drive over
strike
run down

Review quickly

everyday
neutral
To read, explain, or practise something quickly, often to check details before doing it.

Examples

  • Let's run over the plan one more time.
  • She ran over the notes before the interview.
  • The teacher ran over the homework instructions.
  • We should run over the safety rules first.
  • He quickly ran over the main points.

Similar words

review
go over
look over
check
rehearse
summarize

Exceed the planned time

business
neutral
To continue beyond the time that was planned, allowed, or scheduled.

Examples

  • The meeting ran over by fifteen minutes.
  • Her speech ran over the time limit.
  • The interview ran over, so the next guest had to wait.
  • The class often runs over on Fridays.
  • Try not to run over the allotted time.

Similar words

overrun
exceed
go beyond
take too long
continue past

Overflow

everyday
neutral
For liquid or contents to spill over the edge of a container because there is too much.

Examples

  • The bathwater ran over onto the floor.
  • The cup ran over when he poured too much coffee.
  • Foam ran over the edge of the sink.
  • The pot started to run over on the stove.
  • Rainwater ran over the gutter during the storm.

Similar words

overflow
spill over
pour over
flood over
brim over

Etymology

Combines run, one of English's oldest motion verbs, with over, a particle suggesting movement across, beyond, or over a surface. From physical movement came the vehicle, time-limit, overflow, and quick-review senses.

FAQ

What does run over mean?

It can mean hit with a vehicle, review quickly, exceed a time limit, or overflow.

Does run over always mean a car accident?

No. That is one common meaning, but run over can also mean review, go past time, or spill over.

What does run over the plan mean?

It means quickly review or discuss the plan.

What does the meeting ran over mean?

It means the meeting continued longer than planned.

What is the passive form of run over?

The passive form is be run over, as in The dog was almost run over.

What is a synonym for run over?

Depending on the sense, synonyms include hit, review, go over, overrun, exceed, overflow, and spill over.

How do you use run over in a sentence?

For example: Let's run over the plan one more time.

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