'Bump into' is a widely-used phrasal verb, especially favored in informal speech and writing. Commonly, it refers to meeting someone unexpectedly, such as "I bumped into an old friend at the mall," and is often employed in casual conversations to describe chance encounters with friends or acquaintances. While it can occasionally appear in semi-formal contexts, such as in personal essays or stories, its usage is less prevalent in strictly formal writing or professional settings, where alternatives like 'encounter' or 'meet by chance' might be preferred. This phrasal verb is prevalent across various forms of media, including storytelling, where it adds an element of surprise and spontaneity to narratives. Furthermore, it's important to note that 'bump into' can also denote a literal physical collision in some contexts, although this meaning is less commonly emphasized.
B1
PreIntermediate
1. To meet someone unexpectedly, usually by chance, without having planned to meet them.
I was surprised to bump into my old teacher at the grocery store.
She bumped into an old friend from college while walking her dog.
We bumped into our neighbors at the restaurant last night.
It's always nice to bump into familiar faces when traveling.
He accidentally bumped into his boss at the concert.