come upon

British  

verb

1. (intr, preposition) to meet or encounter unexpectedly

   I came upon an old friend in the street today

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come upon Idioms  

1. see come across, def. 1; come on, def. 3.

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Example Sentences

After this I knew no more; all the accumulated excitement of the evening bore down with one fell swoop upon my brain.

From Charles O'Malley, The Irish Dragoon, Volume 2 by Lever, Charles James

There is something in the very words "flying column" to appease the impatient; wings in the air, a swoop upon the victim.

From The Relief of Mafeking How it Was Accomplished by Mahon's Flying Column; with an Account of Some Earlier Episodes in the Boer War of 1899-1900 by Young, Filson

Miela came first, alighting with a swift, triumphant swoop upon the roof where Mercer and I were sitting.

From The Fire People by Cummings, Ray

Somewhat as two vultures may swoop upon a dying 294 lamb, Fettes and Macfarlane were to be let loose upon a grave in that green and quiet resting-place.

From The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition Vol. 3 (of 25) by Stevenson, Robert Louis

Once a day the Keswick waggonettes swoop upon the place, bringing trippers by the score, but at other times it is a quiet and enjoyable spot.

From Climbing in The British Isles. Vol. 1 - England by Smith, W. P. Haskett

Related Words

• bump into
• come across