stumble across
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle across
Meanings
Find something by chance
Why “across”? Two paths cross unexpectedly. A person or thing comes into your path.
“I stumbled across an old letter.”
“She stumbled across a quiet cafe near the museum.”
Don't confuse with
Stumble across means find something by chance. Stumble on means discover something by chance.
Test yourself
“I stumbled across an old letter.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
stumble on
A contrast learners often mix up
Discover something by chance
come across
Same across pattern: crossing paths
Find or meet someone or something by chance; Give a particular impression to others
happen across
Same across pattern: crossing paths
Find or meet someone by chance
run across
Same across pattern: crossing paths
Encounter someone or something unexpectedly
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