bump into

verb

1. informal,  (intr, preposition) to meet by chance; encounter unexpectedly

Idioms and Phrases

Also, bump against . Collide, come in contact with; same as bang into . For example, It's easy to bump into furniture in the dark . [Mid-1800s]

Encounter, meet by chance, as in While I was downtown, I bumped into George . [ Colloquial ; 1880s] Also see run into .

Example Sentences

Our robot stepped backward, away from the crew, and bumped into a young woman.

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"If there are too many routes, electrons bump into things and lose energy. But if you create a straight tunnel for them, like the Autobahn in Germany, they can travel fast and freely without resistance."

Read more on Science Daily

The fatal stabbing took place at Primrose Hill on 31 December 2023 after Harry accidentally bumped into another boy while "play-fighting" and practising high kicks, the jury was told.

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We bump into them one night at the local beach bar.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

As Ostfeld walked off the stage at Tuesday’s conference, he bumped into another activist investor: Scott Ferguson, managing partner at Sachem Head Capital Management.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• come across 
• meet up with 
• run into