Differences between run in and run up
Run in usually means to have a brief or unexpected encounter with someone, especially a law enforcement officer, whereas run up generally means to accumulate or increase something, especially a debt or bill.
Meanings and Definitions: run in vs run up
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
Run in
- 1Arrest, take to police station for questioning.
They RAN him IN last night.
- 2Drive a new car carefully in order not to damage the engine
She RAN the car IN for a thousand miles.
- 3Pay a casual visit.
We RAN IN and chatted for an hour.
- 4Insert.
He RAN a graph IN next to the text.
Run up
- 1Move quickly to where someone is.
He RAN UP next to me and started shouting.
- 2Hoist, raise a flag.
They RAN UP the Union Jack.
- 3Do or make something very quickly.
He RAN UP a few examples for them to look at.
- 4Spend a lot of money on credit.
He RAN UP a lot of bills at the hotel.
Usage Examples: run in, run up in Sentences
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
run in
Example
The police ran in the suspect for questioning.
Example
She runs in the new car carefully to avoid damaging the engine.
run up
Example
She ran up a list of potential candidates for the job.
Example
He runs up the stairs to catch the bus.
Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Run in
Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Run up
rack up
To accumulate or increase something, especially a debt or bill.
Example
He racked up a huge credit card bill during his vacation.
build up
To accumulate or increase something gradually over time.
Example
She built up her savings account by setting aside a small amount of money each month.
mount up
To accumulate or increase something, especially a problem or difficulty.
Example
The stress and pressure mounted up as the deadline approached.
Differences in run in vs run up: Usage, Formality, and Tone
Frequency in Daily Use: run in or run up?
In daily conversation, people use run up more often than run in. This is because run up is used for more common situations such as accumulating bills or debts, while run in is less common and mainly used when talking about unexpected encounters.
Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of run in and run up
Run in and run up are informal phrases often used in casual conversations. They are suitable for everyday interactions with friends and family. In more formal settings like business or academic contexts, using alternative expressions can convey a more polished tone.
Tone and Implication: The Nuances of run in and run up
The tone of run in and run up can differ based on context. Run in often carries a negative or apprehensive tone when related to encountering law enforcement, while run up typically has a neutral or slightly negative tone, especially when referring to accumulating bills or debts.
