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bump into meaning and examples

2025-09-12

Meaning

The phrasal verb “bump into” means to meet someone unexpectedly or by chance. It can also literally mean to hit something or someone accidentally while moving.

Grammar and Usage

  • Part of speech: Phrasal verb (verb + preposition)

  • Transitivity: Transitive (requires an object)

  • Patterns:

    • bump into + person/thing
    • bump into + object (when referring to a physical collision)

Two Main Usages

  1. Accidental meeting: to see someone unexpectedly.

    • "I bumped into my old teacher at the station."

  2. Accidental physical contact: to hit against something/someone unintentionally.

    • "He bumped into the chair in the dark."

Common Phrases

  • bump into a friend
  • bump into an old colleague
  • bump into the wall
  • bump into someone famous

Collocations

  • accidentally bump into
  • suddenly bump into
  • physically bump into
  • bump into trouble/problems

Examples

  1. I bumped into Sarah while shopping downtown.
  2. He bumped into the table and spilled his coffee.
  3. We bumped into some old friends at the airport.
  4. The child bumped into his father’s leg and laughed.
  5. She bumped into her neighbor on the way to work.
  6. He bumped into a famous actor at the café.
  7. I almost bumped into a cyclist while crossing the street.
  8. They bumped into problems during the project.
  • run into (someone)
  • come across (someone/something)
  • encounter (formal)

Antonym

  • plan to meet
  • avoid
  • dodge