come by (something)

1. to obtain money, wealth, or goods.

Mitchell had acquired some wealth, although whether he came by it honestly or dishonestly is not clear.

Usage notes: often used in the form hard to come by:

Fresh meat and fish were hard to come by.

2. to learn a skill.

I had to work hard to learn to skate. I didn't come by it easily.

• the business end of
• the business end of something
• the calm before the storm
• the cards are stacked against
• the cards are stacked against someone
• the cart before the horse
• the casting couch
• the center of attention
• the change of life
• the chattering classes
• the child from hell
• the [child/house/mother, etc.] from hell
• the chosen few
• the coast is clear
• the cock of the walk
• the comings and goings
• the common touch
• the conventional wisdom
• the corridors of power
• the cream of the crop
• the curtain comes down on
• the curtain comes down on something
• the curtain falls
• the curtain falls on
• the curtain falls on something