come in useful
Turn out handy
To come in useful is to prove helpful or valuable when needed, often unexpectedly: I kept those old boxes and they came in useful when we moved.
The phrase suggests something wasn't obviously necessary but turned out to serve a purpose.
More common in British than American English, where come in handy is preferred.
- valuableWorth considerable money
- worth its weightExtremely valuable compared to cost
- convenientEasy to use
- helpfulGiving useful aid
- practicalSuited for real use
handy · versatile · Swiss Army knife · beneficial · advantageous · utilitarian · multipurpose · effective · do the trick · do the job · adaptable · save the day · pull through · functional · instrumental · serviceable · ingenious · applicable