Phrase guide

run up against

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To begin to encounter problems with (someone or something).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • The latest model has run up against the limits of its technical capacity.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

5 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • German: auf etwas stoßen — to encounter problems
  • Polish: natykać się — to encounter problems
  • Polish: natknąć się — to encounter problems
  • Polish: napotykać — to encounter problems
  • Polish: napotkać — to encounter problems