chance upon
Filed under C
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.
Where it comes from and how it is used
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."
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.
Neighbouring idioms
Know an earlier use or a better origin story?Tell us.