come upon
Find by chance
To come upon something is to encounter or discover it, often unexpectedly: We came upon an abandoned cabin in the woods.
The phrase suggests stumbling across rather than seeking out.
It can also mean to affect suddenly: A strange feeling came upon her.
Meet unexpectedly or collide
- bump intoMeet without planning
- meetCome into contact
- cross pathsMeet by coincidence
- run acrossEncounter unexpectedly
stumble across · face · confront · intercept · rendezvous · convergence · intersection · crossing
Excavate or reveal hidden
- findLocate through effort
- uncoverReveal what's hidden
- detectNotice or discover
- discoverFind something unknown
spot · locate · notice · encounter · reveal · identify · recognize · discern
Unexpected fortunate discovery
- happy accidentUnintended but beneficial event
- windfallUnanticipated lucky gain
- godsendUnexpected welcome help
- blessingPrayer seeking divine favor
boon · stroke of luck · fortuitous · providential · kismet · fate · destiny · fluke
Sudden profound insight
- insightDeep perceptive understanding
- revelationSurprising disclosed truth
- awakeningReturn to consciousness
- aha momentSudden flash of understanding
clarity · breakthrough · enlightenment · understanding · dawn on · strike · click · grasp
Not anticipated beforehand
- startlingCausing sudden surprise
- astonishingCausing great wonder
- shockingCausing intense surprise
- joltingShaking with sudden force
unforeseen · unanticipated · out of nowhere · catch off guard · take aback · blindside · bolt from blue · ambush
run into
Meet unexpectedly or collide
- bump intoMeet without planning
- meetCome into contact
- cross pathsMeet by coincidence
run across · stumble across · face · confront · intercept · rendezvous · convergence · intersection · crossing · meeting
unearth
Excavate or reveal hidden
discover · spot · locate · notice · encounter · reveal · identify · recognize · discern · turn up
lucky find
Unexpected fortunate discovery
- happy accidentUnintended but beneficial event
- windfallUnanticipated lucky gain
- godsendUnexpected welcome help
blessing · boon · stroke of luck · fortuitous · providential · kismet · fate · destiny · fluke
epiphany
Sudden profound insight
- insightDeep perceptive understanding
- revelationSurprising disclosed truth
- awakeningReturn to consciousness
aha moment · clarity · breakthrough · enlightenment · understanding · dawn on · strike · click · grasp · comprehend
unexpected
Not anticipated beforehand
- startlingCausing sudden surprise
- astonishingCausing great wonder
- shockingCausing intense surprise
jolting · unforeseen · unanticipated · out of nowhere · catch off guard · take aback · blindside · bolt from blue · ambush · waylay
- discoveryfind, finding, discovery, discover, finding out