come upon (someone or something)
(redirected from come upon something)come upon (someone or something)
1. To discover or encounter someone or something unexpectedly or by chance. We came upon a charming little restaurant as we cycled through the countryside. The two boys came upon a man claiming to have magical beans for sale. Please don't be upset, we didn't mean to exclude you! When Chad and I went out, we just came upon the rest of the group, that's all!
2. To befall or affect someone or something, especially very suddenly. The deadly fever came upon the poor child so quickly that the doctor had no chance to treat her. A terrible fear came upon me as I entered the dark building. Naturally, nerves came upon me as soon as I pulled up for the interview.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
come upon
v.
To discover or meet someone or something by accident: While walking down the road, I came upon a strange old house.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.