verb
1. find unexpectedly (Freq. 10)
-
the archeologists chanced upon an old tomb
-
she struck a goldmine
-
The hikers finally struck the main path to the lake
• Syn:
↑fall upon, ↑strike, ↑light upon, ↑chance upon, ↑come across, ↑chance on, ↑happen upon, ↑attain, ↑discover
• Verb Frames:
-
Somebody ——s something
2. take possession of (Freq. 1)
-
She entered upon the estate of her rich relatives
• Syn: ↑enter upon, ↑luck into
• Verb Frames:
-
Somebody ——s something
-
Somebody ——s somebody
-
Somebody ——s something from somebody
* * *
1) attack by surprise
2) see come on (sense 2)
* * *
come upon [phrasal verb]
somewhat formal
1 come upon (someone or something) : to meet or find (someone or something) by chance
As 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.
An urge to travel suddenly came upon him. [=he suddenly felt an urge to travel]
• • •
Main Entry: ↑come
Useful english dictionary. 2012.