come by
Definition
Verb: 1. To obtain or acquire something, often with some difficulty or by chance: This meaning focuses on getting possession of something, implying it may not be easily available. 2. To visit someone informally or spontaneously: This meaning describes making a short, unplanned visit to a place or person.
Examples
- Meaning 1 (Obtain):
- How did you come by such a rare book? (How did you manage to get such a rare book?)
- Jobs are hard to come by in this economic climate. (Jobs are difficult to obtain in this economic climate.)
- Meaning 2 (Visit):
- Feel free to come by my office anytime tomorrow. (Feel free to visit my office informally anytime tomorrow.)
- I'll come by around eight o'clock to pick up the package. (I will stop by around eight o'clock to get the package.)
Advanced Usage
- "come by (something) honestly": To acquire something, especially a trait or possession, in a legitimate or deserved way.
- He came by his fortune honestly through years of hard work. (He acquired his fortune legitimately through years of hard work.)
Variants and Related Words
- Drop by: A very close synonym for the "visit" meaning, emphasizing informality and lack of prior arrangement.
- She said she might drop by later.
- Come into: To inherit or acquire something, often money or property.
- She came into a large inheritance.
- Procure: A more formal synonym for "obtain," often used in the first meaning of "come by."
Synonyms
- Obtain, acquire, get (for meaning 1).
- Visit, stop by, drop in, swing by (for meaning 2).
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Come across: To find or encounter something or someone by chance.
- I came across your keys on the table.
- Come into: As listed above, to inherit.
- Come over: To visit someone's home.
- Why don't you come over for dinner?
Related Idioms
- Hard to come by: Difficult to find or obtain.
- True friendship is hard to come by.
- Easy to come by: Readily available or easy to obtain.
- Cheap souvenirs are easy to come by in the tourist district.
Verb
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obtain, especially accidentally
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visit informally and spontaneously
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We frequently drop by the neighbors' house for a cup of coffee
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