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run up on

Meaning in simple English, pronunciation and examples

Pronunciation: US /ˌrʌn ˈʌp ɑːn/ · UK /ˌrʌn ˈʌp ɒn/

run up on means: To approach someone aggressively in order to threaten or fight them.

verb

CONFRONT AGGRESSIVELYC1

To approach someone aggressively in order to threaten or fight them.

  • Do not run up on him looking for a fight.
  • Two men ran up on her and demanded money.
  • He ran up on his rival after the argument.

How to use it: run up on someone (The gang ran up on him outside the club.)

Similar words: confront, threaten

Common phrases: run up on someone, run up on him

APPROACH SUDDENLYC1

To approach someone quickly or suddenly, often surprising them.

  • Do not run up on me like that.
  • A stranger ran up on us outside the shop.
  • She was startled when he ran up on her from behind.

How to use it: run up on someone (Do not run up on me from behind.)

Similar words: rush up to

Common phrases: run up on someone, run up on me

FLIRTC2

To approach someone and show that you find them attractive.

  • He tried to run up on me at the bar.
  • She ran up on him and asked for his number.
  • Do you always run up on people at parties?

How to use it: run up on someone (He tried to run up on her at the party.)

Similar words: hit on, chat up

Common phrases: run up on someone, run up on her

Questions about run up on

What does run up on mean?

To approach someone aggressively in order to threaten or fight them.

What is run up on in other languages?

Türkçe: üstüne yürümek · Español: encararse con · Français: agresser · Deutsch: bedrohen · Italiano: aggredire · 日本語: 詰め寄る

How do you pronounce run up on?

In American English /ˌrʌn ˈʌp ɑːn/; in British English /ˌrʌn ˈʌp ɒn/.

How do you use run up on in a sentence?

Do not run up on him looking for a fight. Two men ran up on her and demanded money.

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run up on in other languages

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