Despite the fact that the verb run means "to move or go", it acquires a special meaning together with some prepositions. The most commonly used phrasal verbs with the verb run are listed below.

run across

to meet someone or find something by chance
• I ran across an old friend today.

run after

to run towards someone or something to catch them
• The cat ran after the mouse.

run at

to run towards somebody to attack or as if to attack them
• The burglar ran at her with a knife.

run away

to leave a place or person suddenly; to escape from a situation or place
• He ran away from home when he was 15.

run down

1. to hit and knock down a person or animal with a vehicle
• The driver deliberately ran her down.

2. to criticize someone or something unfairly or unkindly
• Don’t keep running yourself down.

run on

to continue without stopping; to continue longer than is necessary or expected
• This matter has been running on for two months.

run out

to be used up or finished
• The food is about to run out.

run over

to take more time or spend more money than was planned
• The project ran over the proposed budget.

run to

to be of a particular size or amount
• The report ran to almost 400 pages.