Here’s the ultimate list of phrasal verbs with “come.”

Phrasal Verbs with Come 

“Come about” Meaning and Examples

To happen, to occur, normally by chance.

Example

Scientists are still investigating how this pandemic came about.

Scientists are still investigating how this pandemic happened. 

“Come across” Meaning and Examples

Meaning 1

To find or meet someone by chance.

Example

I came across Laura this morning in a café. I had not seen her since our graduation.

I found Laura this morning in a café. I had not seen her since our graduation. 

Meaning 2

Used as come “across as.” This refers to having an impression of someone when meeting them or seeing them. To look like something, to seem.

Example 

Andrea comes across as a spoiled girl, but once you meet her, you realize she is not like that. 

Andrea looks like a spoiled girl, but once you meet her, you realize she is not like that.

I must admit, when I first saw you, you came across as a serious person. Now I know you are a joker!

I must admit, when I first saw you, you seemed to be a serious person. Now I know you are a joker!

Meaning 3

To make an idea or feeling clear.

Example

His initiative came across in the interview. Everybody understood it perfectly. 

His initiative was made very clear in the interview. Everybody understood it.

“Come after” Meaning and Examples

To chase, to follow, to pursue, to try to capture with the intention of punishing. 

Example 

They are worried the government will come after them for lying in their tax report. 

They are worried the government will try to capture them for lying in their tax report.

“Come along” Meaning and Examples

Meaning 1

To appear, to arrive, to become available.

Example

You should take advantage of any job opportunity that comes along. Nowadays, it is hard to find a job.

You should take advantage of any job opportunity that appears. Nowadays, it is hard to find a job. 

Meaning 2

To go somewhere with someone. 

Example

Hey guys, I overheard you talking about going to the movies today. Do you mind if I come along?

Hey guys, I overheard you talking about going to the movies today. Do you mind if I go with you?

Meaning 3

To develop, to make progress, to improve. Normally used in a progressive tense. 

Example

With the new management, the project is coming along as intended.

With the new management, the project is developing as intended. 

“Come apart” Meaning and Examples 

Meaning 1

To separate into parts because it is designed like that. 

Example

The table comes apart so that you can move it more easily when needed.

The table separates into parts so that you can move it more easily when needed. 

Meaning 2

To break into pieces, to shatter.

Example

The book we found in the attic was so old that it came apart as soon as I picked it up.

The book we found in the attic was so old that it broke into pieces as soon as I picked it up. 

Meaning 3

To fail, to be unsuccessful.

Example

Despite the efforts of the government, the confinement protocols came apart due to the festivities. 

Despite the efforts of the government, the confinement protocols were unsuccessful due to the festivities. 

“Come around (come round)” Meaning and Examples

Meaning 1 

To happen again, to reoccur, normally referring to an important event.

Example

Before we noticed it, Christmas had come around. The kids were really excited.

Before we noticed it, Christmas had happened again. The kids were really excited.

Meaning 2

To recover consciousness.

Example

I have no idea how I got there, but when I came around, I was lying on my bed.

I have no idea how I got there, but when I recovered consciousness, I was lying on my bed. 

Meaning 3

To visit someone, to go to someone’s house.

Example

You should come around this weekend. We can have some beers and watch the game.

You should visit me this weekend. We can have some beers and watch the game. 

Meaning 4

To change your mind, to be persuaded.

Example

Jerry is so stubborn. I hope he comes around soon and comes with us to the party.

Jerry is so stubborn. I hope he changes his mind soon and comes with us to the party. 

“Come away” Meaning and Examples

Meaning 1

To separate, to break.

Example

A button of his shirt came away while they danced. There’s no way we can find it on the dance floor. 

A button of his shirt broke while they danced. There’s no way we can find it on the dance floor. 

Meaning 2

Used as come away with, it refers to leaving with a feeling, to have an impression when you leave. 

Example

I came away from the interview with the feeling I had gotten the job.

I left the interview with the feeling I had gotten the job.

Meaning 3

To move away from something or someone.

Example

That guy on the street had a weird look, so we came away and crossed the street.

That guy on the street had a weird look, so we moved away and crossed the street. 

“Come at” Meaning and Examples

Meaning 1

To attack, to move towards someone with the intention of menacing, attacking, or threatening.

Example

That was the moment when the mugger came at me with the knife! I could not move.

That was the moment when the mugger attacked me with the knife! I could not move. 

Meaning 2

To be directed toward someone.

Example

After his controversial intervention, all the looks kept coming at him.

After his controversial intervention, all the looks kept being directed toward him.

Meaning 3

To confront or to deal with a situation in a particular way.

Example

Our current strategy is not working. We will need to come at it from a different perspective. 

Our current strategy is not working. We will need to deal with it from a different perspective. 

“Come back” Meaning and Examples

Meaning 1

To return. To appear again.

Example

Josh wanted to stay another night, but we decided to come back home on Sunday.

Josh wanted to stay another night, but we decided to return home on Sunday.

She had not had nightmares since she was a child, but tonight they came back.

She had not had nightmares since she was a child, but tonight they appeared again. 

Meaning 2

Used as come back to somebody, this refers to remembering something after trying for a while.

Example

I don’t remember where I put my keys, but it’ll come back to me later.

I don’t remember where I put my keys, but I’ll remember it later. 

Meaning 3

To change a difficult situation and be successful. This is especially used in sports. To reply, to react.

Example

They started losing the match, but they came back and won it!

They started losing the match, but they changed the situation and won it. 

After being attacked by the interviewer, the president came back with a solid answer about his economic plan. 

After being attacked by the interviewer, the president replied with a solid answer about his economic plan. 

“Come before” Meaning and Examples

Meaning 1

To be more important than something or someone else.

Example

No matter how much I love my work, my family always comes before.

No matter how much I love my work, my family is always more important. 

Meaning 2

To appear in front of an authority like a judge, to be judged, to be discussed.

Example

The case of the accused comes before judge Robertson.

The case of the accused appears in front of judge Robertson. 

“Come between” Meaning and Examples

Meaning 1

To separate two people, to cause problems between two or more people.

Example

The fight was so strong that it finally came between them, and the partnership dissolved. 

The fight was so strong that it finally separated them, and the partnership dissolved. 

Meaning 2

To prevent someone from doing something, to be an obstacle.

Example

Now there’s nothing coming between me and the title. I am going to win it!

Now there’s nothing preventing me from winning the title. I am going to win it!

“Come by” Meaning and Examples

Meaning 1

To acquire something with effort, to a hold of something difficult.

Example

This body shape is not easy to come by, but I achieved it by training every day!

This body shape is not easy to acquire, but I achieved it by training every day!

Meaning 2

To visit someone.

Example

Andrea came by after the game. I had been inviting her for ages and she finally accepted.

Andrea visited me after the game. I had been inviting her for ages and she finally accepted. 

“Come down” Meaning and Examples

Meaning 1

To descend, to move down to the ground, fall to the ground, also applying to rain and snow. If a plane comes down, it lands or crashes. If a building comes down, it is destroyed or collapses.

Example

Our cat climbed a tree and then could not come down on its own. My father had to rescue it.

Our cat climbed a tree and then could not descend on its own. My father had to rescue it.

The rain started coming down before we left the house. I got all wet.

The rain started falling to the ground before we left the house. I got all wet.

Thanks to the pilot, the plane was able to come down safely.

Thanks to the pilot, the plane was able to land safely. 

The building came down during the earthquake. There was nothing we could do.

The building collapsed during the earthquake. There was nothing we could do.

Meaning 2

To lower, to become less, to downgrade.

Example

Support for the president has been coming down after his latest comments against Covid vaccination. 

Support for the president has been lowering after his latest comments against Covid vaccination.

Meaning 3

Used as to come down to, it refers to the most important aspect of a situation. 

Example

In the end, it all comes down to the result of the test.

In the end, the most important thing is the result of the test.

Meaning 4

To favor one decision, to decide on something.

Example

After several weeks of discussions, the UK has come down on the side of Brexit.

After several weeks of discussions, the UK has decided on the side of Brexit. 

“Come for” Meaning and Examples

To arrive somewhere to pick up something or someone. 

Example

I came for the pizza my wife ordered. Is it ready?

I arrived to pick up the pizza my wife ordered. Is it ready?

The taxi will come for us in five minutes.

The taxi will pick us up in five minutes. 

“Come in” Meaning and Examples

Meaning 1

To enter a place. To arrive. To arrive at or go to work. To receive information. To receive money. It is also used as “come into” in some cases. 

Example

I saw my sister when I came in. She was standing next to the door.

I saw my sister when I entered. She was standing next to the door. 

The train will come in soon. Do you have the tickets at hand?

The train will arrive soon. Do you have the tickets at hand?

The email came in too late. When I saw it, I had already left the building.

The email was received too late. When I saw it, I had already left the building. 

I cannot come in today. I feel a bit sick, and I don’t want to take any risks. 

I cannot go to work today. I feel a bit sick, and I don’t want to take any risks. 

There is no money coming in at the moment. I’m jobless due to the pandemic.

There is no money being received at the moment. I‘m jobless due to the pandemic. 

After his father died, he came into money. He inherited it. 

After his father died, he received money. He inherited it. 

Meaning 2

To be part of something, to become involved, to partake in a situation. 

Example

We need somebody to explain the topic to us. That is where the teacher comes in.

We need somebody to explain the topic to us. That is where the teacher becomes involved. 

“Come off” Meaning and Examples

Meaning 1

To fall from somewhere.

Example

If you are inexperienced, you should be careful while riding a horse. You could come off.

If you are inexperienced, you should be careful while riding a horse. You could fall. 

Meaning 2

To be removed, to separate from something, to be scrubbed out. 

Example

Stop scrubbing the surface so hard! The paint will come off.

Stop scrubbing the surface so hard! The paint will be removed. 

I tried to clean the chewing gum from under the table, but it would not come off.

I tried to clean the chewing gum from under the table, but it would not separate from it. 

Meaning 3

To stop taking medication.

Example

The new doctor had a completely new treatment for me. He told me to come off the aspirins immediately. 

The new doctor had a completely new treatment for me. He told me to stop taking the aspirins immediately. 

Meaning 4

To happen, to go according to the plan, to succeed.

Example

We tried to surprise him, but it did not come off. He knew we were planning something.

We tried to surprise him, but it did not happen. He knew we were planning something. 

Meaning 5

To finish in a particular way, positive or negative.

Example

He came off as the bad (guy) of the story after what he said.

He finished as the bad (guy) of the story after what he said. 

Meaning 6

Used in sports, to be subbed out, to stop playing.

Example

I injured my leg so I had to come off after the goal.

I injured my leg so I had to stop playing after the goal.

“Come on” Meaning and Examples

Meaning 1

To become better, to improve.

Example

My English has really come on since I started studying phrasal verbs.

My English has really improved since I started studying phrasal verbs. 

Meaning 2

To start operating, to turn on, to start being broadcast, to appear on TV or a stage. 

Example

I saw a light coming on in the abandoned house. I guess somebody returned to it.

I saw a light turning on in the abandoned house. I guess somebody returned to it. 

We were all sitting in front of the TV, waiting for the news to come on. 

We were all sitting in front of the TV, waiting for the news to start being broadcasted. 

Everybody was surprised when the actor came on and started singing.

Everybody was surprised when the actor appeared on stage and started singing. 

Meaning 3

Used in sports as the opposite of “come off,” it refers to be subbed in. To start playing. 

Example

He started the game on the bench but came on in the second half.

He started the game on the bench but started playing in the second half. 

Meaning 4

Used in imperative, it refers to telling someone to move faster, to hurry. 

Example

Come on! We are going to miss the game if we don’t leave now!

Hurry! We are going to miss the game if we don’t leave now!

“Come out” Meaning and Examples

Meaning 1 

To become known or public.

Example

It came out that she was pregnant. Everybody was surprised.

It became known that she was pregnant. Everybody was surprised.

Meaning 2

To fall, to stop being attached to something.

Example

Her tooth came out last night, and she put it under her pillow!

Her tooth fell last night, and she put it under her pillow!

Meaning 3

To sound in a particular way when spoken out loud. 

Example

I didn’t mean for my comments to sound like that. They came out harsher than I meant. 

I didn’t mean for my comments to sound like that. They sounded harsher than I meant. 

Meaning 4

To remove something, to clean something, to scrub something off.

Example

If you use vinegar, the wine stain will come out.

If you use vinegar, the wine stain will be removed. 

Meaning 5

To be released, to be available for the public. 

Example

Godzilla vs. Kong will come out on 31 March. 

Godzilla vs. Kong will be released on 31 March.

Meaning 6

When the sun or the moon rises, they come out.

Example

The sun comes out earlier in this season. Dawn is at 5:30 am.

The sun rises earlier in this season. Dawn is at 5:30 am. 

Meaning 7

To end in a certain way, to have a result.

Although we had a flat tire on the road, everything came out okay and we arrived on time. 

Although we had a flat tire on the road, everything ended okay and we arrived on time. 

Meaning 8 

To tell people you are gay.

Example

He came out to his family and they were very supportive of his decision.

He told his family he was gay, and they were very supportive of his decision. 

“Come over” Meaning and Examples

Meaning 1

To be affected by a feeling

Example

Envy came over me when I saw him win the prize.

I was affected by envy when I saw him win the prize. 

Meaning 2

To visit someone. To travel to visit someone. 

Example

You should come over for dinner. I will prepare my famous pasta.

You should visit me for dinner. I will prepare my famous pasta.

Our grandparents came over from Scotland. We had not seen them since the pandemic began. 

Our grandparents traveled to visit us from Scotland. We had not seen them since the pandemic began.

“Come through” Meaning and Examples

Meaning 1

To survive a difficult situation, to be okay after something difficult. 

Example

The pandemic has really affected us, but we will come through it together.

The pandemic has really affected us, but we will survive it together. 

Meaning 2

To receive a message or a call.

Example

The call came through at 5 am. It woke us all up. 

The call was received at 5 am. It woke us all up. 

Meaning 3

To be noticeable.

Example

Her dislike for the new teacher comes through in the comments she makes. 

Her dislike for the new teacher is noticeable in the comments she makes. 

“Come to” Meaning and Examples

Meaning 1

To suddenly think of something, to suddenly remember something. 

Example

The idea came to me as I was taking a shower. I ran out of the bathroom to tell my brother. 

I suddenly thought of it as I was taking a shower. I ran out of the bathroom to tell my brother. 

Meaning 2

To reach a total, to reach a status, normally a bad one. 

Example

After using the heating that much, the electric bill came to 16000$. I could not pay for that.

After using the heating that much, the electric bill reached 16000$. I could not pay for that. 

If it comes to it, we will need to use force to enter the building.

If it reaches that status, we will need to use force to enter the building. 

“Come together” Meaning and Examples

Meaning 1

To combine well, to start having chemistry between the parts. 

Example

After weeks of playing badly, the players came together and started playing great!

After weeks of playing badly, the players combined well and started playing great!

Meaning 2

To meet.

Example

We will come together next week to finish the discussion of the book. See you then!

We will meet next week to finish the discussion of the book. See you then!

“Come under” Meaning and Examples

Meaning 1

To experience something, to undergo something. 

Example

The president came under suspicion for leaking delicate details about homeland security.

The president experienced suspicion for leaking delicate details about homeland security. 

Meaning 2

To be in charge of something, to be managed by someone.

Example

All complaints come under HR. You can contact them if you need anything.

All complaints are managed by HR. You can contact them if you need anything.

“Come up” Meaning and Examples

Meaning 1

To approach. To come near someone to talk.

Example

People tend to come up to me to ask for an autograph. I am a famous actor. 

People tend to approach me to ask for an autograph. I am a famous actor.

Meaning 2

To become available, to be mentioned, to appear, also applying for a problem or an unexpected situation. 

Example

He is waiting for an opportunity to come up. He needs to start working.

He is waiting for an opportunity to become available. He needs to start working. 

That topic came up today at the meeting and we discussed it thoroughly.

That topic was mentioned at the meeting and we discussed it thoroughly. 

What is this notification that just came up on my screen?

What is this notification that just appeared on my screen?

Something came up, and I won’t be able to go to the party. I’m sorry.

Something unexpected appeared, and I won’t be able to go to the party. I’m sorry.

“Come upon” Meaning and Examples

Meaning 1

To meet someone, to find something by chance.

Example

We came upon an abandoned building when we crossed the street.

We found an abandoned building when we crossed the street. 

Meaning 2

To start feeling something, to have a feeling.

Example

A sense of pride came upon me as I saw my kid receiving his medal.

I had a sense of pride as I saw my kid receiving his medal. 

“Come with” Meaning and Examples

Meaning 1

To be a result, to be caused by something else, to be an effect of something.

Example

This level of skill comes with years of practice. You will get there in the future!

This level of skill is a result of years of practice. You will get there in the future!

Meaning 2

To be included with something else.

Example

This burger comes with fries. Would you like to order an ice cream to accompany your food?

This burger includes fries. Would you like to order an ice cream to accompany your food?