come across

present singular third person comes across · participle present coming across · past came across

1. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see come, across.

   He came across the street towards me.

2. figurativelyTo change sides; to cross over to work for the opposition.

   You argued well in court but your firm doesn't pay its lawyers well, so why don't you come across to ours?

   Synonyms: come over

3. idiomaticTo give an appearance or impression; to project a certain image; to seem or appear (to be some way).

   How did she come across to you?

   4 more examples

   How did she come across when you met with her?

   She came across as sharp and well-grounded.

   A business suit and adequate elocution help her to come across as the competent professional she is.

   “Because of the British empire, I mean. On which the sun never sets. There’s no offence intended. That’s what I want to be sure of. That the line doesn’t come across as an insult to your country’s glorious past.”

   2001, Salman Rushdie, Fury: A Novel, London: Jonathan Cape, →ISBN, page 36

   Synonyms: come off, come over

4. idiomatictransitiveTo find, usually by accident.

   In the dark he came across an old box by accident.

   Synonyms: come upon, run across, encounter, happen across

5. To produce what was desired; to come up with the goods.

   Near-synonym: come through

   2 more examples

   He came across with the rest of the money when we mentioned our lawyer.

   "I'll die before I let my grandad pay you that much money!" blazed the girl. "That ain't unlikely either," retorted Shanan, "if ol' Bart Hendricks don't come across with the ransom."

   1929, Reginald Charles Barker, The Hair-trigger Brand, page 160

   Synonyms: come through

6. idiomaticintransitiveTo give in and do what is wanted or expected; to acquiesce to something.

   Near-synonym: come around

   Synonyms: come around

   1. idiomaticintransitiveTo have sex; to give in to seduction.

      Synonyms: come around

   2. idiomaticintransitiveTo confess to something.

      Synonyms: come around