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run over — 2 meanings

One phrase, 2 different jobs. Tap a meaning to jump to it — then lock each one in by saying it out loud.

phrasal verb2 meanings
  1. 1 hit with a vehicleTo hit and drive over someone or something with a vehicle, usually by accident.
  2. 2 repeat or explain quicklyTo quickly repeat or explain something, especially to make sure everyone understands.
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1

hit with a vehicle

B1run over sthspokenMost common

To hit and drive over someone or something with a vehicle, usually by accident.

The driver didn't see the cat and accidentally ran over it.

A: Why is there a police car outside?
B: Someone ran over a cyclist on the corner.

Last year, my friend was almost run over by a car while crossing the street, so now she's much more careful.

Common mistake

✗He was run over from a car.

✓He was run over by a car.

In the passive, use 'run over BY' — not 'from'.

Tell it apart

A car ran over the dog.

hit and drove over it

The car ran into a wall.

collided head-on
This phrasal verb is often used when talking about accidents involving cars or bikes.'Run into' means to crash into something, but 'run over' means the vehicle passes over it.

Often paired with

run over + victim
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2

repeat or explain quickly

B2run over sthspoken

To quickly repeat or explain something, especially to make sure everyone understands.

Let me quickly run over the main points before we finish.

A: I'm not sure I got everything.
B: No problem, I'll run over the instructions again.

Before the exam, my teacher ran over the key topics with us to make sure we were prepared.

Common mistake

✗Can we run over with the plan again?

✓Can we run over the plan again?

'Run over' takes the object directly — no 'with'.

Tell it apart

Let's run over the schedule once more.

quickly review it

A bus ran over a fox.

drove over it
This is common in meetings, classes, or when checking information.Not about vehicles—here, it means to review or explain information.

Often paired with

run over + content
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hit with a vehiclerepeat or explain quickly