come across

English[edit]

come across (third-person singular simple present comes across, present participle coming across, simple past came across, past participle come across)

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see come,‎ across.
He came across the street towards me.
(figuratively) To 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?
(idiomatic) To give an appearance or impression; to project a certain image.
A business suit and briefcase help her to come across as the competent professional she is.
- 2001, Salman Rushdie, Fury: A Novel, London: Jonathan Cape, →ISBN, page 36:
  “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.”
(idiomatic, transitive) To find, usually by accident.
In the meadow he came across a rare flower.

Synonyms: run across, encounter
(with with) To produce what was desired; come up with the goods.
- 1929, Reginald Charles Barker, The Hair-trigger Brand, page 160:
  "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."

change sides; to cross over to work for the opposition

give an appearance or impression

find, usually by accident