ran over budget

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'ran over budget' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is most commonly used in business and financial contexts to describe when a project or expense has exceeded its allocated budget. For example, "The movie production ran over budget, resulting in a significant financial loss for the studio."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

During his tenure, state investigators found that dozens of schools had inflated student attendance records, and school construction projects routinely ran over budget by tens of millions of dollars.

The New York Times

But the project ran over budget and did not meet its targets.

Independent

Despite the generosity, the project ran over budget and created a nearly $190,000 hole that the organizers are trying to fill with donations.

The New York Times

When his newest restaurant, at 40 Wall Street, ran over budget, however, he went back to Freshstart for about $300,000 in additional financing.

The New York Times

Bent Flyvbjerg, a Danish economic geographer, has found that nine out of ten infrastructure mega-projects worldwide ran over budget and the same number finished behind schedule.

The New Yorker

Six months before the Games opened, it ran over budget and the state had to set up a $76 million bailout fund.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

But the standards of the safety and regulatory sign-off of the new Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant has been called into question by experts, who believe the construction will run over budget or fail.

The Guardian

The Brazilian government's preparations for the World Cup have been repeatedly criticised, as they have run over budget and behind schedule.

BBC

HS2 is running over-budget, with the latest estimates up to the £50bn mark with an end date of 2033.

The Guardian

Furthermore, the accelerometer must be both low cost and available on a breakout board, as the cost of a PCB would definitely cause this project to run over-budget.

Cornell University

As a result, there is no way for the public to know if these projects are running over-budget, over-time, or have been granted "red" status, meaning "successful delivery of the project appears to be unachievable".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ran over budget", specify the amount or percentage by which the budget was exceeded to provide context and emphasize the severity of the situation.

Common error

Don't just say something "ran over budget"; provide details on why or how the budget was exceeded. This adds clarity and prevents potential misunderstandings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ran over budget" functions as a verb phrase indicating that expenses exceeded the allocated financial resources. Examples from Ludwig show its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

16%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Science

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ran over budget" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that expenses have exceeded the allocated financial limit. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usage across diverse contexts, primarily in News & Media and Academia. When using this phrase, providing specific details enhances clarity. Alternatives include "exceeded the budget" or "overspent". Remember, being precise about the amount or reason for the budget overrun makes your communication more effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exceeded the budget

Focuses directly on the action of going beyond the allocated funds.

overspent

A concise verb indicating that more money was spent than planned.

budget overrun occurred

Highlights the event of surpassing the budget rather than the act.

costs escalated

Implies a gradual increase in expenses beyond the initial estimate.

went beyond budget

Similar to "exceeded the budget" but uses a different verb.

surpassed budgetary limits

A more formal expression for exceeding the financial plan.

fiscal plan was exceeded

Similar to 'exceeded budgetary limits' but focuses on the entire fiscal plan.

expenses ballooned

Conveys a rapid and significant increase in costs.

spent more than allocated

Directly indicates that spending exceeded the allocated amount.

financial limits were surpassed

A formal way to state the financial boundaries were exceeded.

FAQs

What does it mean when a project "ran over budget"?

It means the project's actual expenses exceeded the initial financial allocation. This is a common issue in various fields, including construction, film production, and government projects.

What are some alternatives to saying "ran over budget"?

You could use phrases like "exceeded the budget", "overspent", or "costs escalated" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "ran over budget" or "exceeded the budget"?

"Ran over budget" is more informal, while "exceeded the budget" is more formal. The best choice depends on the context and your audience.

What causes a project to "run over budget"?

Common causes include poor initial estimates, unexpected delays, changes in scope, and unforeseen circumstances. Effective project management and contingency planning can help prevent a project from "exceeding its budget".