came by
Stopped for a visit
Came by means obtained or acquired, often with a suggestion of how it happened: How did you come by that scar?
The phrase can imply legitimate acquisition (honestly came by) or raise questions about it.
Came by also means stopped briefly at a place: She came by the office to drop off the papers.
Arrived without prior arrangement
- popped inVisited briefly, unannounced
- visitedWent to see someone
- passed throughMoved across completely
- arrivedReached one's destination
showed up · turned up · appeared · checked in · rolled up · paid a visit
Came into possession
- gotObtained previously
- inheritedReceived from forebears
- receivedWas given something
- gainedCame to possess
earned · procured · secured · attained · collected · picked up · scored · snagged
- metCame upon someone
- crossed pathsEncountered by chance
- happened uponFound unexpectedly
- chanced uponDiscovered unexpectedly
bumped into · stumbled across · found · discovered · spotted · noticed · caught sight of · laid eyes on
dropped in
Arrived without prior arrangement
- popped inVisited briefly, unannounced
- visitedWent to see someone
- passed throughMoved across completely
arrived · showed up · turned up · appeared · checked in · rolled up · paid a visit
obtained
Came into possession
gained · earned · procured · secured · attained · collected · picked up · scored · snagged · landed
ran into
- metCame upon someone
- crossed pathsEncountered by chance
- happened uponFound unexpectedly
bumped into · chanced upon · stumbled across · found · discovered · spotted · noticed · caught sight of · laid eyes on · encountered
came bylost
Unable to navigate
gave away · relinquished · surrendered · forfeited · parted with
by, come, become, coming, came, became, becomes, comes, comer