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"come" — same verb, different meanings

Phrasal verbs built on "come" — same verb, but the particle changes the meaning. Pick the one that fits.

come
across come acrossTo find or discover something or someone unexpectedly, without looking for it.I came across an old photo album while cleaning the attic. along come alongto go somewhere with someone, often when they invite you or as part of a group.We're going to the park later—do you want to come along? along with come along withto go to a place together with another person or groupI'm going to the market—do you want to come along with me? apart come apartTo separate into pieces, usually because something is weak or damaged.My old shoes came apart after just a few months. around come aroundto visit someone at their home, usually for a short time or social reason.Why don't you come around for dinner tonight? back come backto return to a place where you were before.She came back from her holiday last night. down come downTo move from a higher position to a lower one, either physically or metaphorically.Could you come down from your room? Dinner is ready. down to come down toTo mean that everything depends on or is mainly about one main thing.In the end, choosing the right university comes down to what you want to study. down with come down withTo start to feel sick with a particular illness, usually something not too serious like a cold or the flu.I think I'm coming down with a cold because my throat feels sore. forward come forwardto offer to give information or help, especially when it is needed or asked for.No one came forward with any information about the missing bag. in come into enter a room or building, especially after being outside or after knocking.She knocked on the door and waited for someone to tell her to come in. off come offTo happen as planned or to be successful.The event came off better than anyone expected. off as come off asTo give people a certain impression of your personality, attitude, or mood, often without meaning to.He can come off as a bit arrogant, but he's actually very friendly once you get to know him. off it come off itUsed to tell someone to stop saying something that is hard to believe, silly, or not true.Come off it, there's no way you finished all that work in one hour. out come outTo become available to the public, such as a new book, movie, or product.The new smartphone will come out next month. through come throughto manage to survive or recover after a tough or dangerous experience.After a long battle with the disease, she finally came through and is feeling much better now. up come upto happen or appear unexpectedly, especially when talking about problems, opportunities, or situations.Sorry I’m late—something urgent came up at work. up against come up againstto suddenly have to deal with a difficult situation, problem, or obstacle.We came up against a lot of problems when we tried to renovate the old house. up with come up withto think of or create a new idea, plan, or solution, often when it is needed.She came up with a great idea for the school project.

come across

find by chance

To find or discover something or someone unexpectedly, without looking for it.

I came across an old photo album while cleaning the attic.

come along

go somewhere with someone

to go somewhere with someone, often when they invite you or as part of a group.

We're going to the park later—do you want to come along?

come along with

to go somewhere with someone

to go to a place together with another person or group

I'm going to the market—do you want to come along with me?

come apart

break into pieces

To separate into pieces, usually because something is weak or damaged.

My old shoes came apart after just a few months.

come around

visit (someone's home)

to visit someone at their home, usually for a short time or social reason.

Why don't you come around for dinner tonight?

come back

return

to return to a place where you were before.

She came back from her holiday last night.

come down

move from a higher to a lower place

To move from a higher position to a lower one, either physically or metaphorically.

Could you come down from your room? Dinner is ready.

come down to

to be the most important aspect of something

To mean that everything depends on or is mainly about one main thing.

In the end, choosing the right university comes down to what you want to study.

come down with

become ill

To start to feel sick with a particular illness, usually something not too serious like a cold or the flu.

I think I'm coming down with a cold because my throat feels sore.

come forward

offer information or help

to offer to give information or help, especially when it is needed or asked for.

No one came forward with any information about the missing bag.

come in

enter (a place)

to enter a room or building, especially after being outside or after knocking.

She knocked on the door and waited for someone to tell her to come in.

come off

succeed

To happen as planned or to be successful.

The event came off better than anyone expected.

come off as

seem to be a particular type of person

To give people a certain impression of your personality, attitude, or mood, often without meaning to.

He can come off as a bit arrogant, but he's actually very friendly once you get to know him.

come off it

stop being silly or unbelievable

Used to tell someone to stop saying something that is hard to believe, silly, or not true.

Come off it, there's no way you finished all that work in one hour.

come out

be released (for books, movies, products, etc.)

To become available to the public, such as a new book, movie, or product.

The new smartphone will come out next month.

come through

survive a difficult situation

to manage to survive or recover after a tough or dangerous experience.

After a long battle with the disease, she finally came through and is feeling much better now.

come up

arise (of a problem, opportunity, or situation)

to happen or appear unexpectedly, especially when talking about problems, opportunities, or situations.

Sorry I’m late—something urgent came up at work.

come up against

face a difficult situation or problem

to suddenly have to deal with a difficult situation, problem, or obstacle.

We came up against a lot of problems when we tried to renovate the old house.

come up with

think of an idea

to think of or create a new idea, plan, or solution, often when it is needed.

She came up with a great idea for the school project.

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