run-in

Word family

• run in
  phrasal verbB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Run-in is the most informal of these words and describes a sudden, unexpected clash that often leaves bad feelings afterward. It is almost always used in the pattern 'have a run-in with somebody', as in 'Ben had a run-in with the parking attendant'. Argument is the broadest word, covering any spoken disagreement from mild to serious. Quarrel suggests a more emotional, personal exchange between people who know each other — friends, partners, or family members. Confrontation implies a tense face-to-face clash that may go beyond words, sometimes involving authority. Altercation is a formal term for a loud, angry dispute, common in news headlines but rare in everyday speech.

Common collocations

Etymology

The noun 'run-in' comes from the verb phrase 'run in', which was used in the 1800s to mean 'to collide with' or 'to quarrel'. The idea behind the word is that an argument runs into your life suddenly and forcefully — like two people running into each other on the street.