bump into

British  

verb

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

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bump into Idioms  

1. 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]

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

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Example Sentences

Barely a day goes by where she doesn’t bump into former co-workers from the hospital — at the grocery store or the coffee shop or school pick-up.

From Salon • May 27, 2026

"Our approach is like taking a wide-angle camera inside the ballroom. Now we can see how the dancers are pairing up and paying attention to one another, so they don't bump into each other."

From Science Daily • Apr. 27, 2026

Members might bump into “Succession” actor Jeremy Strong.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

Duren approached Diabaté and the two men appeared to bump into each other.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 11, 2026

I walk out of my room, rubbing the sleep from my eyes, and bump into my mother.

From "Love, Hate & Other Filters" by Samira Ahmed

Related Words

• come across
• meet up with
• run into