come across

• Audio (General Australian):

  (file)

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

1. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see come,‎ across.

   He came across the street towards me.

2. (figuratively) To change sides; to cross over to work for the opposition.

   Synonym: come over

   You argued well in court but your firm doesn't pay its lawyers well, so why don't you come across to ours?

4. (idiomatic) To give an appearance or impression; to project a certain image; to seem or appear (to be some way). [(often) with as; or (often) with like]

   Synonyms: come off, come over

   Coordinate terms: translate, equate (especially regarding abstractions)

   How did she come across when you met with her?

   How did she come across to you?

   She came across as sharp and well-grounded.

   A business suit and adequate elocution 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.”

6. (idiomatic, transitive) To find, usually by accident.

   Synonyms: come upon, run across, encounter, happen across

   In the meadow he came across a rare flower.

7. To produce what was desired; to come up with the goods. [with with]

   Near-synonym: come through

   Coordinate term: come around

   He came across with the rest of the money when we mentioned our lawyer.

   • 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."

8. (idiomatic, intransitive) To give in and do what is wanted or expected; to acquiesce to something.

   Near-synonym: come around

   Coordinate term: come through

   1. (idiomatic, intransitive) To have sex; to give in to seduction.
   2. (idiomatic, intransitive) To confess to something.