come on
phrasal verb·6 senses·particle on
Meanings
Used to encourage, hurry or challenge someone
Why “on”? An action is directed onto a person, thing or weakness as its target.
“Come on, you can do it!”
“Maya called, "Come on, Leo," as they got ready for the club.”
Begin to develop, especially an illness or weather
Why “on”? A device starts working, a session or event begins, or a condition starts to develop.
“I feel a cold coming on.”
“Heavy rain came on while we were walking home.”
Start working or be turned on
“The lights came on at six.”
“The heating came on before dawn.”
“Why won't the screen come on?”
Make progress or improve
Why “on”? An action, event, state, or path continues or moves to a later point.
“Her English is coming on well.”
“After weeks of practice, his piano playing has really come on.”
Show romantic or sexual interest in someone, often in a direct way
“At the party, he came on too strong and made her uncomfortable.”
“A stranger came on to her at the bus stop.”
Be broadcast on television or radio
“My favourite show comes on at nine.”
“The weather report comes on after the news.”
Don't confuse with
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Happen successfully as planned; Stop taking a medicine or substance; Give a particular impression to others; Be withdrawn from sale or service
bring on
Same on pattern: starting
Cause something, especially an illness or feeling, to start; Help someone or something develop or improve
call on
Same on pattern: target
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
cheat on
Same on pattern: target
Be unfaithful to a partner
click on
Same on pattern: starting
Activate by clicking
Sink In — iOS & Android
Practice “come on” in Sink In
Drill “come on” and 1,300+ other phrasal verbs with spaced repetition, organised by the particle patterns that connect them.
- Learn the pattern behind dozens of verbs at once — not one-off translations.
- Spaced repetition (SM-2) brings each meaning back right before you forget.
- Four practice modes train recall and discrimination, not just recognition.
