come across

Find by chance

To come across something is to find or encounter it, often by chance: I came across an old photo in the attic.

To come across a certain way is to make an impression on others: She comes across as confident, He didn't come across well in the interview.

The phrase can also mean to fulfill a promise or deliver what's expected: He said he'd help, but he never came across.

encounter

stumble upon

Find unexpectedly

run intoMeet unexpectedly or collide
bump intoMeet without planning
chance uponFind unexpectedly

happen upon · find · meet · discover · hit upon · fall upon · light upon · spot · locate · catch sight of

discovery

uncover

Reveal what's hidden

findLocate through effort
unearthExcavate or reveal hidden
dig upUncover from underground

turn up · locate · track down · ferret out · root out · stumble on · happen on · chance on · discover · detect

impression

seem

Give an impression

appearBecome perceptible to sight
presentGift or current moment
projectPlanned, effortful task

convey · sound · look · register · give off · exude · emanate · communicate · portray · perceive

Categories

phrasal verbspick up, look at, put down, turn on, turn off
discoveryfind, finding, discovery, discover, finding out
investigatinginvestigate, examine, inspect, probe, search
meeting actionsmeet, greet, approach, run into, bump into

Opposites

intentionality of discovery

come acrossseek out

Try to find intentionally

hunt for · look for · track down · research · investigate

projection vs. concealment

come acrossconceal

Keep from being seen

hide · mask · disguise · suppress · hold back

communicative success

come acrossget lost

Dismissive order to leave

fall flat · miss the mark · go over someone's head · confuse

Family

come, cross, coming, across, crossing, came, encounter, crossed, comes

Familiarity: Top 10,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Everyday, not technical · Rated G