Below you will find two of the uses of the phrasal verb 'come across' which you are likely to find used in the Cambridge Advanced exam.

In addition to the meaning/definition for each use, you will also find two examples of it being used with each meaning (to help you better understand its use and the context it is used in).

In order to remember these uses, make sure to make an example in your own words with the phrasal verb.

Use 1

To find something by chance (normally when travelling somewhere or in an unexpected place).

Look what I CAME ACROSS in the street when I was walking to the cinema, somebody's wallet. They must have dropped it. I'm going to take it to the police station.

Look what I CAME ACROSS when I was cleaning the attic, these photos of your grandparents when they were young. I forgot we still had them.

Click here to watch a YouTube video on this meaning of the phrasal verb

Use 2

To say what someone seems or seemed to be like (what impression they give/gave of themselves).

When you first meet her, she COMES ACROSS as arrogant. But the more you get to know her, you'll realise she isn't like that at all.

"How did I COME ACROSS when I was doing the presentation?"
"You seemed a bit nervous and unsure."

Click here to watch a YouTube video on this meaning of the phrasal verb


Return to the list of 50 commonly phrasal verbs in the CAE exam.