Run something by someone means sharing an idea, plan, or draft with them informally before proceeding, so they can react before you move forward. It sits between deciding alone and asking for formal approval.
Idea and plan checks
Slack, immediate: "Got a sec? Want to run something by you before I send this to the client."
Manager 1:1: "I want to run an idea by you before I bring it to the wider team."
Meeting comment: "Let me run a few options by the group before we lock in a direction."
Draft and wording checks
Email to a colleague: "Can I run the wording past you before this goes out? I don't want to overstate the numbers."
Status update: "I ran the deck by legal yesterday, and they're fine with it."
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Start learning for free →By vs. past, interchangeable
"Mind if I run this by you before I send it?"
"Mind if I run this past you before I send it?"
Both sentences above are equally natural -- "by" and "past" carry no difference in meaning or formality here.
What these examples have in common
Every sentence above involves one specific, reasonably formed thing -- an idea, a draft, a set of options -- being shared with a named person for their reaction, before the speaker moves forward. None of them ask for a documented sign-off, and none of them describe an open-ended brainstorm; the object is always something the speaker already has in hand.
Practice scenarios
Practice using run something by in situations like:
- checking a draft with a colleague before sending it externally
- getting an informal reaction from a manager before a bigger meeting
- confirming legal or compliance is fine with specific wording
Useful practice phrases:
- "Let me run this by you before I send it."
- "I ran it past legal and they're fine with it."
- "Mind if I run a few options by the team first?"
The object always comes between "run" and "by" or "past" -- never after it.
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