run up against
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To begin to encounter problems with (someone or something).
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
The latest model has run up against the limits of its technical capacity.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “run up against” mean?
To begin to encounter problems with (someone or something).
Is “run up against” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.