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Have you ever come across a phrasal verb and found yourself scratching your head, wondering what it means? In this lesson, you’ll explore the many meanings and uses of phrasal verbs with come. From come up with to come across, you’ll learn how to use these common expressions naturally and sound more fluent in everyday English.
List of Common Phrasal Verbs with COME
- come about
- come across
- come after
- come along
- come apart
- come around
- come away
- come at
- come back
- come before
- come between
- come by
- come down
- come down on
- come down upon
- come down to
- come down with
- come for
- come forth
- come from
- come in
- come in for
- come into
- come off
- come on
- come out
- come out in
- come out of
- come out with
- come over
- come round
- come through
- come through with
- come to
- come together
- come under
- come up
- come up to
- come up with
- come upon
- come with
Phrasal Verbs with COME: Meaning and Examples
Come about
🔊 Pronunciation: /kʌm əˈbaʊt/
📖 Meaning: To happen or occur (often focusing on how something happened).
📝 Example : How did this misunderstanding come about?
💡 Grammar Note:
- Type: Intransitive
- Structure: Inseparable
🔄 Synonyms: Happen, Occur
Come across
🔊 Pronunciation: /kʌm əˈkrɒs/
📖 Meaning 1: To meet or find something/someone by chance.
📖 Meaning 2: To seem or appear in a particular way (impression you give).
📝 Example 1: I came across an old photo album while cleaning out my closet.
📝 Example 2: She comes across as calm, even under pressure.
💡 Grammar Note:
- Type: Transitive
- Structure: Inseparable
🔄 Synonyms: Run into (Meaning 1), Seem (Meaning 2)
Come after
🔊 Pronunciation: /kʌm ˈɑːftər/
📖 Meaning 1: To chase or pursue someone.
📖 Meaning 2: To follow someone in time or order (succeed).
📝 Example 1: The dog started barking and came after the runner.
📝 Example 2: Mr. Lee will retire, and Ms. Tran will come after him as team leader.
💡 Grammar Note:
- Type: Transitive
- Structure: Inseparable
🔄 Synonyms: Chase (Meaning 1), Succeed (Meaning 2)
Come along
🔊 Pronunciation: /kʌm əˈlɒŋ/
📖 Meaning 1: To go with someone (as a companion).
📖 Meaning 2: To make progress.
📝 Example 1: Do you want to come along to the workshop?
📝 Example 2: Your pronunciation is really coming along!
💡 Grammar Note:
- Type: Intransitive
- Structure: Inseparable
🔄 Synonyms: Join, Improve
Come apart
🔊 Pronunciation: /kʌm əˈpɑːrt/
📖 Meaning: To break into pieces or separate (often physical objects).
📝 Example 1: The old book came apart in my hands.
💡 Grammar Note:
- Type: Intransitive
- Structure: Inseparable
🔄 Synonyms: Break up, Fall to pieces
Come around
🔊 Pronunciation: /kʌm əˈraʊnd/
📖 Meaning: To change your opinion and agree (often after resisting at first).
📝 Example: My parents finally came around to the idea of me studying abroad.
💡 Grammar Note:
- Type: Intransitive
- Structure: Inseparable
🔄 Synonyms: Agree, Warm to
Come away
🔊 Pronunciation: /kʌm əˈweɪ/
📖 Meaning: To leave a place/situation with a particular feeling or impression.
📝 Example: I came away from the talk feeling motivated.
💡 Grammar Note:
- Type: Intransitive
- Structure: Inseparable
🔄 Synonyms: Leave feeling, Take away (an impression)
Come at
🔊 Pronunciation: /kʌm æt/
📖 Meaning 1: To attack someone (physically or aggressively).
📖 Meaning 2: To approach a problem/situation in a particular way.
📝 Example 1: The dog came at me when I got too close to its food.
📝 Example 2: Let’s come at this problem from a different angle.
💡 Grammar Note:
- Type: Transitive
- Structure: Inseparable
🔄 Synonyms: Attack (Meaning 1), Tackle (Meaning 2)
Come back
🔊 Pronunciation: /kʌm bæk/
📖 Meaning 1: To return (to a place).
📖 Meaning 2: To return to a previous state.
📝 Example 1: We came back from our trip late Sunday night.
📝 Example 2: She hopes her confidence will come back soon.
💡 Grammar Note:
- Type: Intransitive
- Structure: Inseparable
🔄 Synonyms: Return, Recover
Come before
🔊 Pronunciation: /kʌm bɪˈfɔːr/
📖 Meaning 1: To be more important than something else (priority).
📖 Meaning 2: To occur earlier in time/order.
📝 Example 1: Your health should always come before your job.
📝 Example 2: In the alphabet, “B” comes before “C”.
💡 Grammar Note:
- Type: Intransitive
- Structure: Inseparable
🔄 Synonyms: Take priority, Precede
Come between
🔊 Pronunciation: /kʌm bɪˈtwiːn/
📖 Meaning: To damage a relationship by causing conflict or separation.
📝 Example: Don’t let a small misunderstanding come between you and your best friend.
💡 Grammar Note:
- Type: Intransitive/Transitive (context)
- Structure: Inseparable
🔄 Synonyms: Separate, Divide
Come by
🔊 Pronunciation: /kʌm baɪ/
📖 Meaning 1: To visit a place briefly.
📖 Meaning 2: To get or obtain something (often: “hard/easy to come by”).
📝 Example 1: Come by my office after lunch if you have time.
📝 Example 2: Good jobs are hard to come by these days.
💡 Grammar Note:
- Type: Intransitive
- Structure: Inseparable
🔄 Synonyms: Drop by (Meaning 1), Obtain (Meaning 2)
Come down
🔊 Pronunciation: /kʌm daʊn/
📖 Meaning 1: To fall (or to fall in large amounts, e.g., rain/snow).
📖 Meaning 2: To decrease (price, fever, stress, etc.).
📖 Meaning 3: To be passed down through time (tradition/knowledge).
📝 Example 1: Snow is expected to come down heavily tonight.
📝 Example 2: My fever finally came down after I took the medicine.
📝 Example 3: This story has come down through generations.
💡 Grammar Note:
- Type: Intransitive
- Structure: Inseparable
🔄 Synonyms: Fall, Drop, Decrease, Be handed down
Come down on
🔊 Pronunciation: /kʌm daʊn ɒn/
📖 Meaning: To punish or criticize someone severely.
📝 Example: The principal came down on the students for cheating.
💡 Grammar Note:
- Type: Transitive
- Structure: Inseparable
🔄 Synonyms: Punish, Crack down on
Come down upon
🔊 Pronunciation: /kʌm daʊn əˈpɒn/
📖 Meaning: To criticize or blame someone strongly (often publicly).
📝 Example: The manager came down upon him for missing the deadline.
💡 Grammar Note:
- Type: Transitive
- Structure: Inseparable
🔄 Synonyms: Reprimand, Condemn
Come down to
🔊 Pronunciation: /kʌm daʊn tuː/
📖 Meaning 1: To be reduced to the most important point (the real reason).
📖 Meaning 2: To reach an amount/level after being lowered.
📝 Example 1: It all comes down to communication.
📝 Example 2: The price came down to $900 during the sale.
💡 Grammar Note:
- Type: Intransitive
- Structure: Inseparable
🔄 Synonyms: Depend on, Be reduced to
Come down with
🔊 Pronunciation: /kʌm daʊn wɪð/
📖 Meaning: To become ill (catch an illness).
📝 Example: I think I’m coming down with a cold.
💡 Grammar Note:
- Type: Intransitive
- Structure: Inseparable
🔄 Synonyms: Catch, Fall ill with
Come for
🔊 Pronunciation: /kʌm fɔːr/
📖 Meaning: To arrive to get someone/something (often official or serious).
📝 Example: They came for him early in the morning to ask questions.
💡 Grammar Note:
- Type: Transitive
- Structure: Inseparable
🔄 Synonyms: Fetch, Pick up
Come forth
🔊 Pronunciation: /kʌm fɔːrθ/
📖 Meaning: To appear or step forward (often to speak or reveal information).
📝 Example: After the news report, new witnesses came forth.
💡 Grammar Note:
- Type: Intransitive
- Structure: Inseparable
🔄 Synonyms: Emerge, Step forward
Come from
🔊 Pronunciation: /kʌm frɒm/
📖 Meaning 1: To originate from a place.
📖 Meaning 2: To have a cause/source.
📝 Example 1: My grandparents come from Italy.
📝 Example 2: This idea came from a conversation with learners.
💡 Grammar Note:
- Type: Intransitive
- Structure: Inseparable
🔄 Synonyms: Originate, Stem from
Come in
🔊 Pronunciation: /kʌm ɪn/
Meaning:
📖 Meaning 1: To enter.
📖 Meaning 2: To arrive (at an office/place).
📖 Meaning 3: To be received clearly (signal/call/message).
📖 Meaning 4: To be useful/needed (“come in handy”).
📝 Example 1: Please come in and have a seat.
📝 Example 2: What time did you come in this morning?
📝 Example 3: Your voice is breaking up—you’re not coming in clearly.
📝 Example 4: These tips will come in handy for your speaking test.
💡 Grammar Note:
- Type: Intransitive
- Structure: Inseparable
🔄 Synonyms: Enter, Arrive, Be received, Be useful
Come in for
🔊 Pronunciation: /kʌm ɪn fɔːr/
📖 Meaning: To receive something (often criticism or blame).
📝 Example: The company came in for criticism after the announcement.
💡 Grammar Note:
- Type: Transitive
- Structure: Inseparable
🔄 Synonyms: Receive, Be subjected to
Come into
🔊 Pronunciation: /kʌm ˈɪntuː/
📖 Meaning 1: To inherit money/property.
📖 Meaning 2: To become involved in something (“come into play”).
📝 Example 1: She came into a small fortune after her aunt passed away.
📝 Example 2: Timing comes into play when you launch a product.
💡 Grammar Note:
- Type: Transitive
- Structure: Inseparable
🔄 Synonyms: Inherit, Become relevant
Come off
🔊 Pronunciation: /kʌm ɒf/
📖 Meaning 1: To be removed or detached (often unintentionally).
📖 Meaning 2: To succeed or happen as planned.
📖 Meaning 3: To be reduced/subtracted (price/amount) (informal in some contexts).
📝 Example 1: My ring came off while I was washing my hands.
📝 Example 2: The event came off better than we expected.
📝 Example 3: Ten dollars came off the price at checkout.
💡 Grammar Note: Type: Intransitive · Structure: Inseparable
🔄 Synonyms: Detach, Work out, Be taken off
Come on
🔊 Pronunciation: /kʌm ɒn/
📖 Meaning 1: Used to encourage someone or show impatience (“Hurry up!”).
📖 Meaning 2: To start (a show/event; also: a machine/light).
📖 Meaning 3: To make a romantic/sexual advance (often: “come on too strong”).
📝 Example 1: Come on, you can do it—just one more try!
📝 Example 2: The movie comes on at 8 p.m.
📝 Example 3: He came on too strong, so she ended the conversation.
💡 Grammar Note:
- Type: Intransitive
- Structure: Inseparable
🔄 Synonyms: Hurry up, Begin, Flirt with
Come out
🔊 Pronunciation: /kʌm aʊt/
📖 Meaning 1: To be published/released (book, album, news, product).
📖 Meaning 2: To become known or be revealed (truth/details).
📖 Meaning 3: To openly say you are LGBTQ+ (share your sexual orientation/identity).
📝 Example 1: Her new book comes out next month.
📝 Example 2: The truth came out during the meeting.
📝 Example 3: He decided to come out to his family when he felt ready.
💡 Grammar Note:
- Type: Intransitive
- Structure: Inseparable
🔄 Synonyms: Be released, Be revealed, Disclose
Come out in
🔊 Pronunciation: /kʌm aʊt ɪn/
📖 Meaning: To develop a rash or spots (skin reaction).
📝 Example: She came out in a rash after trying a new lotion.
💡 Grammar Note:
- Type: Intransitive
- Structure: Inseparable
🔄 Synonyms: Break out in
Come out of
🔊 Pronunciation: /kʌm aʊt əv/
📖 Meaning: To result from something (often negative or uncertain).
📝 Example: Nothing good will come out of this argument.
💡 Grammar Note:
- Type: Intransitive
- Structure: Inseparable
🔄 Synonyms: Result from
Come out with
🔊 Pronunciation: /kʌm aʊt wɪð/
📖 Meaning 1: To say something suddenly (often surprising/odd).
📖 Meaning 2: To release/publish something new.
📝 Example 1: He always comes out with the funniest comments at the worst time.
📝 Example 2: The company came out with a new version of the app.
💡 Grammar Note:
- Type: Transitive
- Structure: Inseparable
🔄 Synonyms: Blurt out (Meaning 1), Release (Meaning 2)
Come over
🔊 Pronunciation: /kʌm ˈəʊvər/
📖 Meaning 1: To visit someone at their home.
📖 Meaning 2: To suddenly feel a strong emotion.
📝 Example 1: Do you want to come over this evening?
📝 Example 2: A strange calmness came over her.
💡 Grammar Note:
- Type: Intransitive
- Structure: Inseparable
🔄 Synonyms: Visit, Wash over
Come round
🔊 Pronunciation: /kʌm raʊnd/:
📖 Meaning 1: To change your opinion and agree.
📖 Meaning 2: To regain consciousness.
📖 Meaning 3: To visit someone (British English; similar to “come over”).
📝 Example 1: She’ll come round once she hears the full story.
📝 Example 2: He fainted but came round after a few minutes.
📝 Example 3: My neighbors often come round on weekends.
💡 Grammar Note: Type: Intransitive · Structure: Inseparable
🔄 Synonyms: Come around, Wake up, Visit
Come through
🔊 Pronunciation: /kʌm θruː/
📖 Meaning:
- Meaning 1: To succeed in a difficult situation (survive/finish).
- Meaning 2: To arrive (information, message, help).
- Meaning 3: To do what you promised (not disappoint).
📝 Example 1: She came through the surgery successfully.
📝 Example 2: Your email finally came through.
📝 Example 3: He said he’d help—and he really came through.
💡 Grammar Note: Type: Intransitive · Structure: Inseparable
🔄 Synonyms: Get through, Arrive, Deliver
Come through with
🔊 Pronunciation: /kʌm θruː wɪð/
📖 Meaning 1: To provide what is needed (usually after promising).
📝 Example 1: Can you come through with the files before noon?
💡 Grammar Note: Type: Transitive · Structure: Inseparable
🔄 Synonyms: Deliver, Provide
Come to
🔊 Pronunciation: /kʌm tuː/
📖 Meaning 1: To regain consciousness.
📖 Meaning 2: To add up to a total amount.
📖 Meaning 3: To reach/arrive at a decision or realization.
📝 Example 1: She fainted, but she came to quickly.
📝 Example 2: The bill came to $45 in total.
📝 Example 3: Have you come to a decision yet?
💡 Grammar Note:
- Type: Intransitive (Meaning 1), Intransitive (Meaning 2–3)
- Structure: Inseparable
🔄 Synonyms: Wake up, Total, Decide/Realize
Come together
🔊 Pronunciation: /kʌm təˈɡeðər/
📖 Meaning 1: To join and form a group; to unite.
📖 Meaning 2: To fit or work well as a whole (plan/project).
📝 Example 1: The community came together to help after the storm.
📝 Example 2: After weeks of revisions, the presentation finally came together.
💡 Grammar Note:
- Type: Intransitive
- Structure: Inseparable
🔄 Synonyms: Unite, Take shape
Come under
🔊 Pronunciation: /kʌm ˈʌndər/
📖 Meaning 1: To be included in a category.
📖 Meaning 2: To be controlled by an authority; to fall within responsibility.
📖 Meaning 3: To be attacked/criticized (“come under attack/pressure”).
📝 Example 1: This topic comes under “Business English”.
📝 Example 2: Hiring comes under the HR department.
📝 Example 3: The policy came under heavy criticism online.
💡 Grammar Note:
- Type: Intransitive/Transitive (set phrases)
- Structure: Inseparable
🔄 Synonyms: Fall under, Be criticized
Come up
🔊 Pronunciation: /kʌm ʌp/
📖 Meaning 1: To happen or appear unexpectedly (issue/topic).
📖 Meaning 2: To be happening soon (event/meeting/deadline).
📖 Meaning 3: To rise (sun).
📝 Example 1: Something urgent came up, so I left early.
📝 Example 2: My interview is coming up next week.
📝 Example 3: It gets warmer once the sun comes up.
💡 Grammar Note:
- Type: Intransitive
- Structure: Inseparable
🔄 Synonyms: Arise, Be upcoming, Rise
Come up to
🔊 Pronunciation: /kʌm ʌp tuː/
📖 Meaning 1: To approach someone.
📖 Meaning 2: To reach a standard or expectation.
📝 Example 1: A student came up to me and asked a question.
📝 Example 2: The service didn’t come up to our expectations.
💡 Grammar Note:
- Type: Intransitive (Meaning 1), Intransitive (Meaning 2)
- Structure: Inseparable
🔄 Synonyms: Approach, Meet
Come up with
🔊 Pronunciation: /kʌm ʌp wɪð/
📖 Meaning: To think of or create an idea/plan/solution.
📝 Example: We need to come up with a better title for this lesson.
💡 Grammar Note:
- Type: Transitive
- Structure: Inseparable
🔄 Synonyms: Think of, Devise
Come upon
🔊 Pronunciation: /kʌm əˈpɒn/
📖 Meaning 1: To find or meet unexpectedly (more formal than “come across”).
📖 Meaning 2: To happen suddenly (often: “Night came upon us”).
📝 Example 1: We came upon a quiet village while driving through the mountains.
📝 Example 2: Darkness came upon us sooner than we expected.
💡 Grammar Note:
- Type: Transitive (Meaning 1), Intransitive (Meaning 2)
- Structure: Inseparable
🔄 Synonyms: Encounter, Arrive suddenly
Come with
🔊 Pronunciation: /kʌm wɪð/
📖 Meaning 1: To accompany someone.
📖 Meaning 2: To be included (features/conditions).
📝 Example 1: Do you want to come with me to the meeting?
📝 Example 2: This plan comes with a free trial.
💡 Grammar Note:
- Type: Transitive
- Structure: Inseparable
🔄 Synonyms: Accompany, Include
Dialogue Examples with Phrasal Verbs with COME
Dialogue 1: Brainstorming a lesson
Teacher: We need a fresh idea for tomorrow’s class. Can you come up with a warm-up activity?
Assistant: Sure. What if we start with a quick game where students share a story they came across online?
Teacher: Nice. But we have to keep it simple. If anything confusing comes up, we’ll pause and explain.
Assistant: Agreed. Also, the speaking test is coming up next week, so we should include useful phrases.
Teacher: Perfect. Let’s make a short checklist and send it out.
Dialogue 2: A sudden problem
Minh: Are you still free tonight?
Linh: I was, but something urgent came up at work.
Minh: Oh no. Are you okay?
Linh: Yeah. It all comes down to a deadline. My manager came down on the team last time we were late.
Minh: That’s rough. I hope your coworkers come through and help you finish.
Linh: Thanks. If the plan comes together, I’ll text you later and maybe you can come over for a quick chat.
Exercises with Answers
Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks (choose the best phrasal verb)
(come across, come up with, come down on, come down with, come together)
- I need to __________ a new topic for my English video.
- While reading, I __________ a useful example sentence.
- The project finally __________ after three long weeks.
- The principal will __________ students who cheat.
- I think I’m __________ the flu, so I’ll rest today.
Exercise 2: Choose the correct meaning (A, B, or C)
- Come by in “Good jobs are hard to come by.”A) visit briefly B) obtain C) return
- Come out in “Her new album comes out next Friday.”A) be released B) attack C) disappear
- Come to in “He fainted but came to quickly.”A) become sick B) regain consciousness C) agree
- Come up to in “The service didn’t come up to our expectations.”A) meet a standard B) fall apart C) visit
- Come down to in “It comes down to practice.”A) rise B) depend on C) publish
Answer Key
Exercise 1: 1) come up with 2) came across 3) came together 4) come down on 5) coming down with
Exercise 2: 1) B 2) A 3) B 4) A 5) B
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1) Is “come about” used more for past events?
Yes. It often explains how something happened: “How did it come about?” It’s less natural for predicting the future.
2) What’s the difference between “come across” and “come upon”?
Come across is common and casual. Come upon is more formal and sometimes used in storytelling.
3) Is “come round” the same as “come around”?
Often yes (change your mind). But come round is also common in British English for “visit” and “regain consciousness.”
4) “Come on” vs. “come out” — which one means “reveal you are LGBTQ+”?
That meaning belongs to come out, not come on. Come on is usually encouragement (“Hurry up!”) or “start” (a show/light).
Phrasal Verbs with COME | Video
Conclusion
Learning phrasal verbs with come helps you understand real English faster—because these expressions show up everywhere: conversations, movies, emails, and everyday instructions. Keep practicing a few at a time, and notice how meanings change with context (for example, come across vs. come up vs. come down to).
👉 Download the PDF of phrasal verbs with come to study offline.
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