run-in

[ ruhn-in ]

/ ˈrʌnˌɪn /

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See synonyms for run-in on Thesaurus.com

noun

a quarrel; argument.

Printing. matter that is added to a text, especially without indenting for a new paragraph.

adjective

Printing. added to a text without indenting.

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of run-in

First recorded in 1900–05; noun, adj. use of verb phrase run in

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use run-in in a sentence

As this list shows, punishments typically run to a short-ish jail sentence and/or a moderately hefty fine.
In Defense of Blasphemy|Michael Tomasky|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Everybody is trapped in an elevator together and tempers run a little hot.
‘Archer’ Creator Adam Reed Spills Season 6 Secrets, From Surreal Plotlines to Life Post-ISIS|Marlow Stern|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Using standard methods, the cost of printing DNA could run upwards of a billion dollars or more, depending on the strand.
Design Your Own Dinosaur: The Era of Custom DNA|Justin Jones|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Should lightning strike and Hillary Clinton forgoes a presidential run, Democrats have a nominee in waiting.
Sen. Warren’s Main Street Crusade to Pressure Clinton|Eleanor Clift|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST

The decision not to run the cartoons is motivated by nothing more than fear: either fear of offending or fear of retaliation.
Why We Stand With Charlie Hebdo—And You Should Too|John Avlon|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Do not the widow's tears run down the cheek, and her cry against him that causeth them to fall?
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version|Various
A few, very few, little dots had run back over that green patch—the others had passed down into the world of darkness.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I|Ian Hamilton
But if what I told him were true, he was still at a loss how a kingdom could run out of its estate like a private person.
Gulliver's Travels|Jonathan Swift
The controlling leaders being out of gear the machine did not run smoothly: there was nothing but friction and tension.
Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison
When these last words of his were interpreted to her, she started, made as if she would run after him, but checked herself.
Ramona|Helen Hunt Jackson

British Dictionary definitions for run-in

run in

verb (adverb)

to run (an engine) gently, usually for a specified period when it is new, in order that the running surfaces may become polished

(tr) to insert or include

(intr) (of an aircraft) to approach a point or target

(tr) informal to take into custody; arresthe was run in for assault

noun run-in

informal an argument or quarrelhe had a run-in with the boss yesterday

an approach to the end of an event, etcthe run-in to the championship

printing matter inserted in an existing paragraph

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with run-in

run in

Insert or include something extra, as in Can you run this map in with the text? [Early 1800s]

Also, run on. In printing, make a solid body of text without a paragraph or other break, as in The quotation should be run in rather than set as a paragraph.

Also, run someone in. Take someone into custody, as in The police were going to run him in, but he got away. [Slang; mid-1800s]

Visit someone briefly, as in If I have time, I'll run in to see Aunt Mary. [Second half of 1800s]

Break something or someone in, as in Let's run in the new model on a short flight. [Early 1900s] Also see run into.