come by

The phrase "come by" can mean to obtain something, to visit, or to encounter, depending on the context.

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🇬🇧 UK Voice:

Definition

B2General

(common)To obtain or acquire something, often unexpectedly or by chance.

Example

It's hard to come by affordable housing in this city.
She managed to come by an old, rare book at the flea market.

B1General

(informal)To visit someone or a place, usually briefly or casually.

Example

You should come by my office tomorrow for a chat.
I'll come by your house after work to pick up the documents.

C1Sheepdog Training

(technical)A command for a sheepdog to move clockwise around the sheep.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "come by":

happen by come around come about come upon come at come to come into come over come through come across come to hand go by come round come up stop by come from come with come along come for come up to come in pass by on the come come down come it get hold of come away ride by get some get one's hands on get about come off come upon the town coming through come after