come on

phrasal verb·6 senses·particle on

Meanings

1

Used to encourage, hurry or challenge someone

Power Start

Why “on”? The connection starts. The machine, light, or device begins working.

“Come on, you can do it!”
I encourage you, you can do it!
“Come on, the train is leaving!”
I urge you to hurry because the train is leaving.
2

Begin to develop, especially an illness or weather

Power Start
“I feel a cold coming on.”
I feel a cold beginning to develop.
“A headache came on during the lesson.”
A headache began to develop during the lesson.
3

Start working or be turned on

Power Start
“The lights came on at six.”
The lights started working at six.
“The heating came on before dawn.”
The heating started working before dawn.
“The screen came on after I pressed the button.”
The screen started working after I pressed the button.
4

Make progress or improve

Continuation

Why “on”? Sliding forward along the surface. Motion that keeps going on and on.

“Her English is coming on well.”
Her English is progressing well.
“His piano is coming on well.”
His piano playing is improving well.
5

Try to start a romantic or sexual relationship with someone

Power Startuncommon
“He came on too strong.”
He flirted too aggressively.
“Sam came on to Maya at the party.”
Sam tried to start a romantic relationship with Maya.
6

Be broadcast on television or radio

Power Start
“My favourite show comes on at nine.”
My favourite show is broadcast at nine.
“The weather report comes on at six.”
The weather report is broadcast at six.

Don't confuse with

come oncome in

Come on means used to encourage, hurry or challenge someone. Come in means enter a room or building.

come oncome off

Come on means start working or be turned. Come off means stop taking a medicine or substance.

Test yourself

“Come on, you can do it!” What does it mean?

Nearby in the meaning map

Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.

come in

A contrast learners often mix up

Enter a room or building; Arrive at a destination; Become available, fashionable or in season; Have a useful function or role; (of money or income) be received; Finish a race in a particular position

come off

A contrast learners often mix up

Become detached from something; Happen successfully as planned; Stop taking a medicine or substance; Give a particular impression to others; Be withdrawn from sale or service

act on

Same on pattern: power start

Take action because of advice or information

bring on

Same on pattern: power start

Cause something, especially an illness or feeling, to start; Help someone or something develop or improve

call on

Same on pattern: continuation

Ask someone to do something formally

carry on

Same on pattern: continuation

Continue doing something; Behave in a silly, loud or annoying way; Have a romantic affair, often secretly

catch on

Same on pattern: continuation

Become popular or fashionable; Begin to understand something

click on

Same on pattern: power start

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