come about

verb

1. to take place; happen

2. nautical to change tacks

Idioms and Phrases

Also, come to pass . Happen, take place, as in How did this quarrel come about? or When did this new development come to pass? Shakespeare used the first term, first recorded in 1315, in Hamlet (5:2): “How these things came about.” The variant, dating from the late 1400s, appears often in the Bible, as in, “And it came to pass ... that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus” (Luke 2:1).

Also, go about . In sailing, to change tack (direction), as in It's important to duck under the boom when we come about . [Mid-1500s]

Example Sentences

The ruling came about when four men in Nevada were indicted on felony offenses.

From Salon

It comes about a month after the couple were "suddenly whisked" into court – something their relatives said they had had no prior knowledge of and still had not been given details of.

From BBC

"We didn't know the origins of how they came about, so it was a journey of discovery for us too."

From BBC

Kapp said the policy came about solely “to ensure stronger, more effective communication between oversight bodies, the public, and the Board of Supervisors.”

From Los Angeles Times

The Reds' late wins this season have come about in a variety of circumstances.

From BBC