bump into (someone or something)
1. To touch or strike something or someone, usually lightly and unintentionally. I lost my balance and bumped into the person ahead of me in line. We need to move that coat rack because the door keeps bumping into it. So sorry, sir, didn't mean to bump into you!
2. To randomly encounter someone. We didn't mean to exclude you! When Chad and I went out, we just bumped into the rest of the group, that's all. You won't believe who I bumped into at the airport. Sorry I was gone so long. I bumped into Callie at the store, and we caught up a little.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
bump into someone
and run into someone 1. Lit. to move inadvertently or crash into someone. Excuse me. I didn't mean to bump into you. The child on the bicycle nearly bumped into me.
2. Fig. to chance on someone; to meet someone by chance. (Not normally with physical contact.) Guess who I bumped into downtown today? I ran into Bill Jones yesterday.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
bump into
1. Also,
bump against. Collide, come in contact with; same as
bang into. For example,
It's easy to bump into furniture in the dark. [Mid-1800s]
2. Encounter, meet by chance, as in
While I was downtown, I bumped into George. [
Colloquial; 1880s] Also see
run into.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
bump into
v.1. To collide with someone or something accidentally: I wasn't looking where I was going and bumped into a garbage can.
2. To encounter someone or something by chance: I often bump into my friends at the grocery store.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.