come about [ phrasal verb ]1 : to happenTheir meeting came about by accident/chance.I don't know how it came about that she overheard our conversation.2 of a boat or ship : to turn to a different directionThe captain gave the order to come about.come across [ phrasal verb ]1 : to seem to have a particular quality or character : to make a particular impressionHow did he come across? [=what kind of impression did he make?] — usually + asHe comes across as (being) a good speaker. [=he seems to be a good speaker; people think that he is a good speaker when they hear him talk]He came across as a nice guy. [=he seemed to be a nice guy]2 : to be expressed to someoneShe says she was trying to be helpful, but that's not what came across when I talked to her. [=I did not get the feeling that she was trying to be helpful when I talked to her]Her enthusiasm really came across [=came through] when she talked about her job. [=we could see that she was really enthusiastic when she talked about her job] 3 come across (something or someone) : to meet or find (something or someone) by chanceResearchers have come across important new evidence.As I was walking through the town, I came across a group of street performers.4 informal : to pay money that someone wants or demandsThey threatened to hurt him if he doesn't come across (with the money).come along [ phrasal verb ]1 : to go somewhere with someoneThey asked me to come along (with them) on the trip. [=they asked me to go with them on the trip]I'm going to the museum tomorrow. Would you like to come along?2 : to make progress : to get better or to proceed in a desired wayThe project started slowly, but now the work is coming along.: to proceed in a specified wayThe work is coming along well.The investigation is coming along slowly, and there's still a lot more work to be done.3 : to happen or appear as someone or something that might be used, chosen, etc. She says she won't just marry the first man that comes along.An opportunity like this doesn't come along [=occur] too often.come around ( or chiefly Brit come round) [ phrasal verb ]1 : to start to accept and support something (such as an idea) after opposing it : to stop opposing or disagreeing with something or someoneShe still says she won't support us, but she'll come around eventually. [=she'll support us eventually]— often + toShe'll come around to our side eventually.People are starting to come around to the idea.2 : to become consciousHe took a bad fall and knocked himself out. When he came around [=woke up, came to], he didn't remember what had happened.3 : to go to visit someoneWhy don't you come around [=come over] (to my house) after work today?4 : to occur in the usual way as time passesI always feel a little sad when the end of the school year comes around.— see also what goes around comes around at go, 15 of a boat or ship : to turn to a different directionThe sailboat came around [=came about] and began to head east.come at [ phrasal verb ]1 come at (someone)1 a : to move toward (someone) in a threatening or aggressive wayThey kept coming at me.1 b : to be directed at or toward (someone)The questions kept coming at him so quickly that he didn't know how to respond to them.2 come at (something) : to begin to deal with or think about (something)We need to come at [=approach] these problems from a different angle.come back [ phrasal verb ]1 : to return to a placeI hope you'll come back and see us again soon.— sometimes used figurativelya decision that may come back to haunt us [=a decision that may cause problems for us in the future]2 a : to return to a former good condition : to become strong, successful, or effective again after a time of weakness, failure, etc.It can be difficult for an athlete to come back [=recover] from an injury like this.a species that was nearly extinct but that has been coming back2 b : to become popular or fashionable againShort skirts were out of fashion for many years, but now they're coming back.2 c : to be successful in a game, sport, etc., after being behindThe team was trailing after the first half, but they came back and won in the second half.3 : to return to someone's memory— usually + toI had forgotten a lot of what I learned about music, but it's all coming back to me now. [=I am beginning to remember it now]4 : to make a reply or response— usually + withWhen questioned about his involvement, he came back with an angry denial. come between [ phrasal verb ]come between (people or groups) : to cause disagreement between (people or groups) We shouldn't let these problems come between e down [ phrasal verb ] 1 a : to move or fall downwardThe crowd erupted in applause as the curtain came down.One of the tree's branches came down during the storm.1 b of rain, snow, etc. : to fall from the skyShe stood at the window, watching the rain come down.The rain was coming down in sheets. [=it was raining very heavily]2 : to go to a lower levelStock prices have continued to come down [=fall] this week. = Stocks have continued to come down in price this week.It's sad to see how he has come down in the world. [=how he has fallen to a lower position or status after being wealthy, successful, etc.]— see also comedown3 : to decide or say in an official or public way that you support or oppose someone or somethingThe committee came down in favor of the proposal. = The committee came down on the side of the proposal. [=the committee approved the proposal]Some of his former supporters have come down against him.4◇ An announcement or decision that comes down is an announcement or decision from someone who has power or authority.Word came down that the strike was over.The decision came down in his favor.5◇ Something that comes down from the past is something that has existed for a very long time.This is a story that has come down from ancient times.6 informal : to stop feeling the effect of an illegal drug : to stop being high on a drugan addict who is coming down from heroincome by [ phrasal verb ]1 : to make a visit to someoneWhy don't you come by [=come over] for a while after dinner?2 come by (something) : to get or acquire (something)I asked him how he came by the money, but he wouldn't tell me.A good job is hard to come by. [=it's hard to get a good job]come down [ phrasal verb ]1 a : to move or fall downwardThe crowd erupted in applause as the curtain came down.One of the tree's branches came down during the storm.1 b of rain, snow, etc. : to fall from the skyShe stood at the window, watching the rain come down.The rain was coming down in sheets. [=it was raining very heavily]2 : to go to a lower levelStock prices have continued to come down [=fall] this week. = Stocks have continued to come down in price this week.It's sad to see how he has come down in the world. [=how he has fallen to a lower position or status after being wealthy, successful, etc.]— see also comedown3 : to decide or say in an official or public way that you support or oppose someone or somethingThe committee came down in favor of the proposal. = The committee came down on the side of the proposal. [=the committee approved the proposal]Some of his former supporters have come down against him.4◇ An announcement or decision that comes down is an announcement or decision from someone who has power or authority.Word came down that the strike was over.The decision came down in his favor.5◇ Something that comes down from the past is something that has existed for a very long time.This is a story that has come down from ancient times.6 informal : to stop feeling the effect of an illegal drug : to stop being high on a drugan addict who is coming down from heroincome down on [ phrasal verb ]1 come down on (someone) : to criticize or punish (someone)The governor has promised to come down hard on corrupt officials. [=to severely punish corrupt officials]Her boss came down on her pretty hard when she didn't finish the report on time.2 come down on (something) : to make a strong effort to stop or oppose (something) The governor has promised to come down hard on corruption.come down to [ phrasal verb ]come down to (something) : to have (something) as the most important partPeople talk about various reasons for the company's failure, but it all comes down to one thing: a lack of leadership.The election is going to come down to which candidate seems most trustworthy to the voters. [=the candidate who seems most trustworthy will win the election] It's nice to be rich, but when you come (right) down to it, it's more important to be healthy and happy.come down with [ phrasal verb ]come down with (an illness) : to begin to have or suffer from (an illness)She came down with [=contracted] measles.I think I may be coming down with [=getting, catching] a cold.come forward [ phrasal verb ]: to say openly or publicly that you are the person who should get something or who can do somethingNo one has yet come forward to claim the reward.Several people came forward to offer their assistance.come in [ phrasal verb ]1 a : to enter a placeWelcome. Please come in.1 b : to arrive at a placeThe store will have some exciting new products coming in next week.2 : to be receivedThe election results should start coming in soon. [=we should start receiving/getting the election results soon]The broadcast was coming in loud and clear. [=we could hear the broadcast very clearly]3 : to end a race or competition in a specified positionJoan won the race and her sister came in [=finished] second.He came in first/last.4 : to have a particular role or functionWe're going to need someone to help with the cooking, and that's where you come in. [=your job will be to help us with the cooking]5◇ Something that comes in handy or (less commonly) comes in useful/helpful turns out to be useful when it is needed.A pocketknife can come in handy.A little extra money would come in useful right now.come in for [ phrasal verb ]come in for (something) : to get or be given (something unpleasant, such ascriticism) : to be subjected to (something)The government's policies are coming in for increasing criticism. [=more people are beginning to criticize the government's policies]come into [ phrasal verb ]come into (something)1 : to enter (a place)Everyone watched her as she came into the room.2 : to get (something) as a possessionHe came into a fortune when he inherited his father's estate.3 : to be involved in (something)Deciding who to hire should be a business decision. You shouldn't allow personal feelings to come into it. [=you shouldn't allow personal feelings to affect your decision]come off [ phrasal verb ]1 come off or come off (something) : to stop being attached to somethingWhen I tried to pick up the suitcase, the handle came off. = The handle came off the suitcase.2 : to produce a desired result : to succeedHis plans to start his own business never came off.3 : to happenThe meeting came off as scheduled. [=the meeting happened when it was scheduled to happen]4 : to do or perform well or badlyShe came off well in the contest.He came off badly/poorly in the debate.5 : to seem to have a specified quality or character— usually + asHe's really just shy, but he comes off as a little arrogant. [=he seems a little arrogant]He came off as a stuffy old man.6 come off (something)6 a US : to have recently completed or recovered from (something)a company that is coming off a very successful yearan athlete who is coming off a serious injury6 b : to have recently stopped using (an illegal drug)an addict who is coming off heroin7 US, informal— used in phrases like where do you come off? to express anger or annoyance at what someone has said or doneWhere do you come off talking to me like that? [=you have no right to talk to me like that; how dare you talk to me like that?]I don't know where he comes off making those kinds of accusations. [=he has noright to make those kinds of accusations]come on [ phrasal verb ]1 a : to happen or progress as time passesDarkness came on rapidly/gradually [=it rapidly/gradually became dark] as the sun went down.1 b : to begin to happenRain came on toward noon. [=it began to rain when it was almost noon]I feel a headache coming on.It looks like it might be coming on to rain. [=it looks like it might start to rain soon]2 a of an electrical machine, light, etc. : to begin to work or functionThe lights came on briefly and then went out again.2 b of a TV or radio program : to startThat program you like is coming on in a few minutes.3 informal3 a— used in speech to ask or urge someone to do something“I don't feel like going out tonight.”“Oh, come on! It'll do you good to get out of the house for a while.”“I don't think I can go any further.”“Come on! You can do it if you keep trying!”3 b— used in speech to tell someone to hurry or to go fasterCome on, let's go.3 c— used in speech to express surprise, disbelief, etc.“I think she could win the election.”“Come on! She doesn't have a chance!”4 : to have or seem to have a certain quality or natureHe comes on [=comes across] as a conservative.come on to [ phrasal verb ]1 come on to (someone) informal : to show sexual interest in (someone) : to try to start a sexual relationship with (someone)She complained that her boss has been coming on to her.2 come on to (something) Brit : to start to talk about or deal with (something) We'll come on to [=come to, get to] that question later.come out [ phrasal verb ]1 : to become available : to begin to be produced or soldA new magazine is coming out next week.The book/movie comes out next month.2 a : to become obvious : to be clearly shownHis pride came out in his refusal to accept help. [=his refusal to accept help showed his pride]2 b : to become knownThe truth finally came out. [=people finally learned the truth]It came out that he had known about these problems all along, but he hadn't said anything.3 : to say something openlyWhy don't you just come out and say what you really think?4 : to say publicly that you support or oppose someone or somethingShe came out in favor of the proposal.Some of his former supporters have come out against him.5 : to say openly that you are a homosexualMany gay entertainers have been reluctant to come out.Last year she came out (as a lesbian) to her parents. [=she told her parents that she is a lesbian]6 a : to appear after being hiddenThe rain stopped and the sun/moon/stars came out as the clouds cleared away. : to appear in the openanimals that only come out at night6 b of a flower : to open : to blossomin the spring, when the flowers are beginning to come out (in bloom)7 a : to end or finish in a specified wayHow did the game come out? [=turn out] [=who won the game?]Everything came out [=ended up, turned out] all right.She expects to come out ahead in the end.He's confident that he'll come out a winner.He's confident that he'll come out on top [=that he'll win] when all the votes have been counted.7 b of a photograph : to produce a good pictureThose pictures I took at the game yesterday didn't come out.7 c— used to describe the quality that something has when it is finishedThe picture came out blurry.The brownies came out a little too dry.8 : to be said, expressed, or understood in a particular wayThat's not what I meant to say. It didn't come out right.He was trying to make a joke, but it came out wrong.come out with [ phrasal verb ]come out with (something)1 : to say or express (something, such as an idea)She came out with a new proposal.He's always saying ridiculous things. You never know what he'll come out with next.Why don't you just come out with it and say what you really think?2 : to publish or produce (something that will be sold to the public)a publisher that is coming out with a new series of children's booksa car company that is coming out with several new models next yearcome over [ phrasal verb ]1 : to make a social visit to someoneWhy don't you come over [=come around] (to my place) after work?2 : to change from one side to the other in a disagreement, competition, etc.— usually + toI've been trying to persuade her to come over to our side, but I haven't convinced her yet.3 Brit, informal : becomeHe suddenly came over all bashful. [=he suddenly became very bashful]4 come over (someone) : to affect (someone) in a sudden and strong wayA sudden feeling of dread came over me. [=I felt a sudden feeling of dread] He's behaving so strangely. I don't know what's come over him lately. [=I don't know what has caused him to behave so strangely]come through [ phrasal verb ]1 : to succeed in doing something : to do what is needed or expectedan athlete who is known for coming through in the clutch“I managed to get the tickets.”“Great! I knew you'd come through.”2 a : to be received and understoodThe message came through loud and clear.The signal wasn't coming through. [=we weren't receiving the signal]2 b : to be expressed to someoneHer enthusiasm really came through [=came across] when she talked about her job. [=we could see that she was really enthusiastic when she talked about her job] 3 : to be given or made official in a formal and final wayWe're still waiting for approval of our loan application to come through.4 come through (something) : to have the experience of living through (something) It was a very difficult illness, but he came through it in pretty good shape.come to [ phrasal verb ]1 : to become consciousHe took a bad fall and knocked himself out. When he came to [=woke up, came around], he didn't remember what had happened.2 come to (something)2 a : to reach (a place) while travelingWe came to a fork in the road.2 b : to reach (a particular point or step in a process)Deciding to buy a new car was easy. Now we come to the hard part: finding the money.I can't believe that it has come to this.2 c : to approach or reach (a specified condition)The water came slowly to a boil. [=the water slowly began to boil]The project suddenly came to a stop/halt. [=the project suddenly stopped]The work has finally come to an end. [=has finally ended]— see also come to a bad end at end, 12 d : to result in (something)— usually used in negative statementsHis ambitious plans never came to much.She talked about learning to fly, but it all came to nothing in the end. [=she never did learn to fly]2 e : to make or reach (something, such as a decision or an agreement) after thinking or talkingThe two sides finally came to an agreement/understanding after many hours of discussion.I've been thinking about what to do next, and I've come to a decision. [=I've made a decision]I've come to the conclusion [=I've decided] that we need to try a different method.3◇ People say that they don't know what the world is coming to or they ask What is the world coming to? when they are shocked or disgusted by something that has happened in the world.I don't know what the world is coming to when so many poor children have to go to bed hungry every night.4◇ The phrase when it comes to is used to identify the specific topic that is being talked about.When it comes to playing chess, he's the best I know.5◇ The phrase if it comes to that means “if that is necessary.”I'm willing to pay more money if it comes to that.6 come to (an amount) : to produce (an amount) when added togetherThe bill came to [=amounted to] 10 dollars.7 come to (someone) : to be thought of by (someone) : to occur to (someone) The answer suddenly came to me. [=I suddenly thought of the answer]8◇ Something that is coming to you is something that is owed to you.I have another dollar coming to me. [=I am owed another dollar]He wants all the credit that's coming to him. [=he wants all the credit that he deserves]◇ If you get what's coming to you, you get the punishment that you deserve. He's a dirty cheat, and I'm going to see that he gets what coming to him.◇ If you have it coming (to you) you deserve to get something bad, such as punishment.I'm not sorry to hear that he lost his job. He had it coming.come under [ phrasal verb ]come under (something)1 : to be subjected to (something)The troops were resting when they suddenly came under attack. [=when they were suddenly attacked]His policies have been coming under attack/criticism/fire from conservatives. [=conservatives have been attacking/criticizing his policies]Many people feel that their civil rights are coming under threat. [=are being threatened]Some of the governor's recent proposals are now coming under increased scrutiny. [=people are now looking more closely and critically at the proposals]The school is coming under pressure to change its policies.2 : to be affected, controlled, or influenced by (something)an area that has come under the control of rebel forces [=an area that is now controlled by rebel forces]He was 30 years old when he first came under the care of a psychiatrist. [=when he first began to be treated by a psychiatrist]Many young people have come under his influence. [=many young people have been influenced by him]areas that come under his authority3— used to identify the group or category that something belongs toThese matters come under the heading of classified information.come up [ phrasal verb ]1 : to move near to someone or something : to approach someone or something He came (right) up (to me) and introduced himself.2 a : to be mentioned or thought ofThat issue never came up. [=arose]A question has come up about the budget.I was surprised when his name came up as a possible candidate for the job.2 b : to occur in usually a sudden or unexpected wayShe seems to be ready to deal with any problem that may come up. [=arise]Something has come up and I won't be able to attend the meeting.We need to be ready to take action if an opportunity comes up.3 of the sun or moon : to become visible in the sky : to riseShe was already awake when the sun came up.4 of a plant : to first appear above the groundin the spring, when the daffodils and tulips are coming up5 : to finish in a specified condition or stateI flipped the coin and it came up heads/tails.The shot came up short. [=the shot did not go far enough]6 : to move up in rank or statusan officer who came up from/through the ranks [=who started as an ordinary soldier and rose to become an officer]7◇ Something that is coming up will happen soon or will appear soon.With the election coming up, both candidates are spending all their time on the campaign trail.Our interview with the mayor is coming (right) up after this commercial.“I'd like a turkey sandwich and a glass of lemonade, please.”“Coming right up!” [=the sandwich and lemonade will be served to you very quickly]come up [ phrasal verb ]1 : to move near to someone or something : to approach someone or something He came (right) up (to me) and introduced himself.2 a : to be mentioned or thought ofThat issue never came up. [=arose]A question has come up about the budget.I was surprised when his name came up as a possible candidate for the job.2 b : to occur in usually a sudden or unexpected wayShe seems to be ready to deal with any problem that may come up. [=arise]Something has come up and I won't be able to attend the meeting.We need to be ready to take action if an opportunity comes up.3 of the sun or moon : to become visible in the sky : to riseShe was already awake when the sun came up.4 of a plant : to first appear above the groundin the spring, when the daffodils and tulips are coming up5 : to finish in a specified condition or stateI flipped the coin and it came up heads/tails.The shot came up short. [=the shot did not go far enough]6 : to move up in rank or statusan officer who came up from/through the ranks [=who started as an ordinary soldier and rose to become an officer]7◇ Something that is coming up will happen soon or will appear soon.With the election coming up, both candidates are spending all their time on the campaign trail.Our interview with the mayor is coming (right) up after this commercial.“I'd like a turkey sandwich and a glass of lemonade, please.”“Coming right up!” [=the sandwich and lemonade will be served to you very quickly]come up against [ phrasal verb ]come up against (something) : to be stopped or slowed by (something)The proposal has come up against some opposition. [=there is some opposition to the proposal]come upon [ phrasal verb ]somewhat formal1 come upon (someone or something) : to meet or find (someone or something) by chanceAs they turned the corner, they came upon an unexpected scene.While researching the town's history, she came upon some surprising new information about its first mayor.2 come upon (someone) of a feeling : to affect (someone) suddenlyAn urge to travel suddenly came upon him. [=he suddenly felt an urge to travel]come up to [ phrasal verb ]come up to (something) : to be as good as (something)The movie didn't come up to our expectations. [=was not as good as we expected it to be]come up with [ phrasal verb ]come up with (something) : to get or think of (something that is needed or wanted) We finally came up with a solution (to our problem).He came up with an interesting new method of improving the factory's efficiency. He'll be in a lot of trouble if he doesn't come up with the money he owes.。