happen across
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle across
Meanings
Find or meet someone by chance
Why “across”? Two paths cross unexpectedly. A person or thing comes into your path.
“I happened across an old friend.”
“We happened across a street band near the river.”
Don't confuse with
Happen across means find or meet someone by chance. Happen on means find or meet someone or something by chance.
Test yourself
“I happened across an old friend.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
happen on
A contrast learners often mix up
Find or meet someone or something by chance
come across
Same across pattern: crossing paths
Find or meet someone or something by chance; Give a particular impression to others; Be expressed clearly enough for people to notice or understand
run across
Same across pattern: crossing paths
Encounter someone or something unexpectedly
stumble across
Same across pattern: crossing paths
Find something by chance
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