happen upon
Find by chance
To happen upon something is to find or encounter it by chance, without looking for it: I happened upon an old photograph while cleaning the attic.
The phrase suggests a pleasant or interesting discovery rather than a neutral one.
Happen on means the same thing.
Find accidentally
- findLocate through effort
- encounterUnexpected meeting or confrontation
- uncoverReveal what's hidden
- run intoMeet unexpectedly or collide
spot · notice · discover · locate · detect · unearth · meet with · ferret out
Chance affecting outcomes
- chanceLikelihood of occurrence
- coincidenceUnplanned matching of events
- flukeChance stroke of luck
- fortuityAccidental lucky occurrence
accident · providence · fate · kismet · fortune · blessing · boon · godsend
Intense sudden wonder
- amazementOverwhelming surprise and wonder
- shockViolent sudden disturbance
- startleFrighten suddenly
- bewildermentState of being baffled
wonderment · disbelief · marvel · incredulity · jolt · double-take · caught off guard · taken aback
come across
Find accidentally
run into · spot · notice · discover · locate · detect · unearth · meet with · ferret out · root out
luck
Chance affecting outcomes
- chanceLikelihood of occurrence
- coincidenceUnplanned matching of events
- flukeChance stroke of luck
fortuity · accident · providence · fate · kismet · fortune · blessing · boon · godsend · windfall
astonishment
Intense sudden wonder
bewilderment · wonderment · disbelief · marvel · incredulity · jolt · double-take · caught off guard · taken aback · eye-opener
happen, upon, happening, haphazard, happens, happened, happenstance, happened upon, haplessness