run over

1. To hit or drive over someone or something with a vehicle, typically a car. The car ahead of us nearly ran over that family on the sidewalk! He threatened to run me over if I didn't get out of his way. I think I ran over a plastic bottle.

2. To spill out of a full container or channel. Watch what you're doing there—the water is going run over if you fill the sink any further. After two days of rain, the river ran over its banks. The blocks won't all fit in that box—I tried it and they ran over the top.

3. To deliver or convey someone or something (to someone, something, or some place). In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "run" and "over." I need you to run these documents over to the courtroom as soon as possible. A: "I'm heading out to get some groceries." B: "Timmy needs to get to soccer practice. Would you mind running him over on your way?"

4. To go beyond a particular time limit. My meeting ran over a bit, so I'm going to be a little late. The broadcast of the basketball game ran over when it went into overtime, so we're going to have to wait for our show to start.

5. To review or rehearse the details of a process or sequence. Let's run over the plan one more time. We only have one day to run over the entire play, so let's not waste any time.

6. To quickly summarize something. OK, before I give you my thoughts on how to proceed, run over the facts of the case one last time.

See also: over, run

run over (something)

to exceed a limit. The lecture ran over the allotted time. Bob ran over the amount he was budgeted to spend.

See also: over, run

run over someone or something

to drive, steer, or travel so as to pass over someone or something. The bus ran over the fallen man. That car almost ran over my toe.

See also: over, run

run over

1. to come by for a quick visit. Can you run over for a minute after work? I will run over for a minute as soon as I can.

2. to overflow. The bathtub ran over and there was water all over the floor. She poured the coffee until the cup ran over.

See also: over, run

run over

1. Knock down and, often, pass over, as in The car ran over our dog. [First half of 1900s]

2. Review quickly, as in I'll run over the speech one more time. [Early 1600s]

3. Overflow, as in This pot's running over. This usage appears in the well-known Twenty-third Psalm: "My cup runneth over [with God's bounty]."

4. Go beyond, exceed, as in I've run over the allotted time, but there are still questions. [Early 1500s]

See also: over, run

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.

run over

1. To collide with, knock down, and often pass over someone or something: That car almost ran me over! I accidently ran over the flower pot with the lawn mower. The football player ran over an opponent and continued down the field for a touchdown.

2. To move or flow over the surface of something: The creek runs over the rocks of the old riverbed.

3. To cause something to move or flow over or across the surface of something: I ran cold water over my burned hand.

4. To read or review something quickly: Let's run over the song one more time before we record it.

5. To overflow: Stop pouring the water in—the bucket is running over.

6. To make a brief trip, especially by car: I'll run over to the grocery store after work.

7. To go beyond a limit: The meeting ran over by 30 minutes.

See also: over, run

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