come across
come across
1. Literally, to cross something, such as a bridge or road, when traveling. Once you come across Eagle Road, you can turn onto my street.
2. To be viewed by others in a particular way; to have one's personality, behavior, intentions, etc., interpreted in a particular way. Did I come across as confident when I made my speech? She comes across as cold and uptight, but she's actually a very kind lady. Tell me honestly, when you first met me, how did I come across?
3. To find or see someone or something incidentally. I came across him in the library after work, and we got into a great conversation about Hemingway. I came across a $20 bill on my way to school this morning! If you come across my jacket, please let me know. I forget where I left it.
4. To submit or yield to another's wishes. I think he was beginning to see the benefits of our plan, but he'll never come across now that you've insulted him!
5. To fulfill another's demands or expectations. She had previously offered to watch the baby for me, and thank goodness she came across on that because I needed some sleep! Don't expect him to come across on the debt he owes you—I'm still waiting for him to pay me back!
See also: across, come
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
come across (with something)
to deliver what is expected of one. You had better come across with what you owe me. You owe me money, and I wish you would come across.
See also: across, come
come across someone or something
and run across someone or somethingto find someone or something; to discover someone or something. John came across a book he had been looking for. Where did you run across that lovely skirt?
See also: across, come
come across
1. to be compliant. Oh, she'll come across, just you wait; she'll do what we want.
2. to agree; to yield. How can we get him to come across?
See also: across, come
come across
(to something) to agree to something; to yield to someone else's position. He came across to our point of view. Will a sign-on bonus get him to come across?
See also: across, come
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
come across
1. Also, come upon; run across. Meet or find by chance, as in I came across your old letters today, or He came upon her looking in the store window. or If I run across it, I'll call you. The first term dates from the 1800s. The first variant was used by Oliver Goldsmith in She Stoops to Conquer (1773): "You are to go sideways till you come upon Crack-Skull Common." The second variant was used by Mark Twain in Tramp Abroad (1880): "If I don't run across you in Italy, you hunt me up in London."
2. Also, come across with. Pay or give what is expected or demanded, as in He finally came across with some food, or The landlord wants the rent, so come across. [Colloquial; late 1800s]
3. Make a particular impression, as in He comes across as a very sincere person or Her meaning doesn't really come across; she'll have to revise the speech. [Colloquial; first half of 1900s] Also see get across; put across.
See also: across, come
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
come across
v.
1. To arrive by crossing something: To get to our house, it's fastest to come across the south bridge.
2. To meet or find by chance: I came across my old college roommate in town today.
3. To encounter something: We came across a few small mistakes in the students' work.
4. To give an impression: I hope I didn't come across as rude.
5. To be clear or manifest: It did not really come across that they were only trying to help.
6. To pay something that is demanded: You had better come across with the check by tomorrow.
See also: across, come
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
come across
verbSee come across with something
See also: across, come
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
- down the road
- fork in the road
- get out of the road
- in the road
- take to the road
- in (one's) road
- wind around
- road pizza
- frog and toad
- (I've) got to hit the road