run up against

verb

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

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

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Meanings

verbrun up against (third-person singular simple present runs up against, present participle running up against, simple past ran up against, past participle run up against)

present singular third person runs up against · participle present running up against · past ran up against

  1. transitiveTo begin to encounter problems with (someone or something).

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

Synonyms & antonyms

Also see
hit up against

Translations

German auf etwas stoßen
  • auf etwas stoßento encounter problems
Polish natykać się, natknąć się
  • natykać sięto encounter problems
  • natknąć sięto encounter problems
  • napotykaćto encounter problems
  • napotkaćto encounter problems
Cite this entry
APA

run up against. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/run%20up%20against

MLA

“run up against.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/run%20up%20against. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “run up against,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/run%20up%20against.

Source: run up against on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.