chance upon: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘chance upon’ mean?
The idiom "chance upon" means to find or discover something unexpectedly or by accident.
It implies encountering something or stumbling upon it without any prior intention or planning.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "tumble on" means to unexpectedly discover something or stumble upon an idea or solution without actively searching for it.
The idiom "tumble on" is a commonly used expression in English. It has different meanings depending on the context. While its origin is unclear, its usage and meaning have evolved over time.
The idiom "happen along" is a commonly used phrase in American English. It consists of the verb "happen" and the preposition "along," forming a complete phrase with its own distinct meaning.
The idiom "element of surprise" refers to the unexpected or unforeseen component or factor that creates a stunning or shocking outcome in a situation.
The idiom "dumb luck" refers to a situation where someone achieves success or good fortune purely by chance or luck, without any skill or effort on their part.
Dumb luck is an idiom used to describe instances of unexpected success or good fortune that are attributed to pure chance rather than deliberate actions or intelligence. This colloquial expression is commonly used in informal contexts, particularly in North American English.
The idiom "drop in" means to visit someone or a place without any prior arrangement or notice. It can also refer to a sudden and unexpected event or occurrence.
The idiom "dawn on" means to suddenly understand or realize something, often after a period of confusion or lack of awareness.
The idiom "dawn on" is a common English expression that describes the moment when someone suddenly understands or realizes something. It is often used to express a gradual process of comprehension, as if a new understanding is slowly breaking through the darkness and becoming clear.
The idiom "chances are" implies the likelihood or probability of something happening. It suggests that the outcome is likely to occur based on existing circumstances, although it does not guarantee it.
The idiom "chance'd be a fine thing" is used to express skepticism or doubt about the likelihood of something happening.
The idiom "chance'd be a fine thing" is commonly used in British English to express skepticism or doubt about the possibility of something happening. It is often used sarcastically or ironically to convey the idea that the desired outcome is unlikely or improbable.
The idiom "catch the sun" figuratively means to take advantage of an opportunity or grasp a moment of happiness or success. It implies capturing a fleeting moment, like trying to catch the sun in your hands.
The idiom "catch sight of" means to see or notice something or someone briefly or unexpectedly.
The idiom "catch sight of" is commonly used in American English and has a clear and straightforward meaning. It refers to the act of seeing or noticing something or someone unexpectedly or briefly. When someone catches sight of something, it implies that they were not actively searching for it, but rather came across it by chance or it suddenly appeared in their field of vision.
Serendipitous Encounters
The idiom chance upon is commonly used in the English language to describe a situation where a person comes across something unexpectedly, without planning or intention. The word "chance" refers to the occurrence of an event or situation by luck or accident, while "upon" indicates the object or thing encountered. When used together, the idiom emphasizes the element of surprise or unexpectedness in the action of discovering or encountering something.
An alternative idiom that conveys a similar meaning is "happen along." This idiom suggests stumbling upon or coming across something or someone unexpectedly. It adds a sense of spontaneity and surprise to the narrative, as if the encounter was unplanned or by chance. For example, one might say, "I was walking through the park when I happened along an old friend I hadn't seen in years."
Another related idiom is "bump into." This phrase also describes the unexpected encounter with someone or something. It implies a sense of collision or physical contact, as if the encounter was sudden and by accident. For instance, one might say, "I bumped into my neighbor at the grocery store yesterday."
Yet another similar idiom is "tumble on." This expression suggests coming across something or someone unexpectedly, often with a sense of excitement or joy. It implies a sudden discovery or encounter that was not planned or anticipated. For instance, one might say, "I tumbled on a hidden gem of a restaurant while exploring the city."
The idiom chance upon, along with its related idioms happen along, bump into, and tumble on, are versatile phrases in the English language. They allow speakers and writers to convey the idea of stumbling upon something by chance or accident, adding an element of spontaneity and surprise to their descriptions or narratives.
Overall, these idioms provide colorful alternatives to simply stating that one came across something unexpectedly. They add depth and expression to the language, painting a vivid picture of unexpected encounters and discoveries.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom *chance upon* can be used in a sentence:
- I chanced upon an old friend at the grocery store yesterday.
- While walking in the park, I chanced upon a rare flower that I had never seen before.
- During my research, I chanced upon a fascinating article that provided new insights into the topic.
More "Serendipity" idioms
We missed the mark - nothing found.
