Question

come across

Accepted Answer

1. come across sth/sb not passive to find something or meet someone by chance, when you are not expecting it:
   ▪ I came across a fascinating book in the library.
   ▪ Jill came across her son's diary when she was tidying his room one day.
   ▪ You must have come across some weird and wonderful people while you were there.
   ■ SIMILAR TO: ↑stumble across
  2. come across sth to experience a particular type of problem, situation etc:
   ▪ I expect you'll come across all sorts of difficulties, but it's still worth trying.
   ▪ The judge said that he'd never come across a case quite like that before.
   ■ SIMILAR TO: ↑meet
  3. come across to seem to be a particular type of person or thing, or to have particular qualities:
   come across as (being) sth
   ▪ Lisa's teachers always complain that she comes across as lazy.
   ▪ In the interview, Madonna came across as being very intelligent.
   ▪ His comments came across as rather unsympathetic.
   come across well/badly (=make people have a good or bad opinion of you)
   ▪ People say he's a very nice man, but he comes across badly on television.
   ■ SIMILAR TO: ↑come over especially BrE
  4. come across if an idea or emotion comes across, people understand or notice it because it is clearly expressed:
   ▪ What comes across very strongly in her letters is her wonderful sense of humour.
   ▪ The Prime Minister's message came across with absolute clarity.
   ■ SIMILAR TO: ↑come over especially BrE

■ Similar People ▪ I Wonderful Type ▪ The Come ↑Come