Meaning trap

run over

hit with a vehicle

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

phrasal verbB1common

Don't mix these meanings

Same phrase, different job.

hit with a vehicle

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

run over (repeat or explain quickly)

Another meaning of 'run over' is 'repeat or explain quickly'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

The driver didn't see the cat and accidentally ran over it.daily life
Last year, my friend was almost run over by a car while crossing the street, so now she's much more careful.IELTS speaking

Pattern: run over + object

WrongHe was run over from a car.

RightHe was run over by a car.

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

Patternrun over + object

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff The motorist struck and drove over the animal.

Natural A car ran over the cat.

'Run over' is the everyday verb; the formal version is report-like.

Words that usually travel with it.

'Run into' means to crash into something, but 'run over' means the vehicle passes over it.

run over (repeat or explain quickly) — Another meaning of 'run over' is 'repeat or explain quickly'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.