run by

tell someone about an idea or plan to get their opinion

C1

What does "run sth by sb" mean?

To run something by someone means to share an idea, plan, or proposal with them informally so they can react to it, give feedback, or indicate whether they approve. It implies a relatively low-stakes, conversational kind of consultation — not a formal presentation, but a quick check before moving forward. The phrase carries a sense of seeking input from someone whose opinion matters, whether because they have authority, expertise, or relevant knowledge. It is equally at home in professional settings — checking a plan with a manager or legal team — and in everyday situations, such as floating an idea with a friend. The construction almost always separates: the thing you want to discuss goes between 'run' and 'by', and the person you're consulting comes after 'by'.

Examples

How to use it

run + object + by + person

The standard separating pattern: the idea or plan sits between 'run' and 'by', while the person being consulted follows 'by'.

I'd like to run the new pricing structure by the finance team before we commit.

run + pronoun (it/them/this) + by + person

Pronouns must sit between 'run' and 'by' — placing them after 'by' is ungrammatical in this sense.

The design looks good to me, but let's run it by the client first.

modal + run + object + by + person

Modal verbs are extremely common with this phrasal verb, especially in polite requests or expressions of obligation.

I should run this budget revision by my supervisor before submitting it.

can I run + object + by + person?

This question form is a very common idiomatic opener, used to signal that you want to consult someone informally.

Can I run something by you? I've been rethinking our approach to the launch.

let me run + object + by + person

This construction typically implies that the speaker wants to get approval or sign-off before proceeding.

Let me run the revised terms by our legal team, and then we can finalise the agreement.

Common Collocations

run it by the bossrun the idea by someonerun it by legal/HRrun the plan by the teamrun it by me againcan I run something by you?

Common Mistakes

Wrong word order — person before the idea

The person being consulted must come after 'by', not between 'run' and 'by'. The thing being discussed always goes in the middle.

✗ I ran by her the proposal before the meeting.
✓ I ran the proposal by her before the meeting.
Using the passive

Because 'by' already appears in the phrasal verb, the passive form creates a confusing clash with the passive agent marker 'by'. Native speakers consistently avoid it — keep this phrasal verb active.

✗ The plan was run by the manager before launch.
✓ We ran the plan by the manager before launch.
Confusing the consulting sense with the repetition sense

'Run it by me again' means 'say that again because I didn't fully catch or understand it' — not 'ask for my opinion a second time'. If you want to ask someone to repeat something for clarification, this is a subtly different use, usually signalled by the word 'again'.

Usage

This phrasal verb is neutral and works in both professional and casual settings. British English speakers often prefer the near-synonym 'run it past someone', while American English speakers tend to favour 'run it by someone'.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'run by' more American English, and 'run past' more British English?

Yes, that's a useful generalisation. 'Run it by someone' and 'run it past someone' are near-synonyms and both are widely understood, but 'run by' tends to appear more in American English while 'run past' is the more natural choice for many British English speakers. In international professional contexts, either is perfectly acceptable.

Can 'run by' have a completely different meaning?

Yes — 'run by' has other senses unrelated to consulting someone. For example, it can describe physically passing a place while running, as in 'I ran by the office on my way home.' The context will usually make it clear which meaning is intended, since the consulting sense always involves a person after 'by' and a thing being discussed.

Is 'run by' appropriate in professional emails, or is it too informal?

It sits comfortably in the slightly informal professional register — ideal for internal emails, messages to colleagues, or conversations with your manager. It might feel too casual for a formal report or official written document, where you'd more likely say 'consult' or 'seek approval from'. In day-to-day workplace communication, however, it's completely standard.

Can I add words like 'just' or 'quickly' to soften the request?

Absolutely — this is very natural. Phrases like 'I just wanted to run this by you' or 'could I quickly run something by you?' are common ways to signal that the request is low-key and won't take much time. These softeners make the consultation sound less demanding, which is why they appear so frequently in workplace conversation.

Why does 'I am running it by her right now' sound a bit odd?

Because 'run by' typically describes a brief, discrete act of checking or consulting rather than an extended ongoing process, it rarely feels natural in the present continuous. It works much better in the simple tenses or with modals. If you need to describe something in progress, context can sometimes justify it, but most native speakers would avoid it.

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