come by — to obtain or acquire something, often by chance or with some effort
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to obtain or acquire something, often by chance or with some effort
Pronunciation (IPA): /kʌm baɪ/
Example Sentences
- Good programming skills don't come by easily - you need years of practice.
- My neighbor always comes by at dinner time - I think she can smell my cooking!
- Where did you come by this ancient recipe for kimchi?
come by
VERB[/kʌm baɪ/]
to obtain or acquire something, often by chance or with some effort
She decided to come by the bakery on her way home from work.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
This phrasal verb developed in Middle English through the combination of 'come' (from Old English 'cuman', meaning to move toward) and 'by' (from Old English 'bi', originally meaning 'beside' or 'near'). The preposition 'by' gradually extended its meaning from spatial proximity to acquisition and attainment, resulting in the phrase 'come by' meaning to obtain or acquire something.
Breakdown
come (Old English 'cuman': to move toward, arrive) + by (Old English 'bi': beside, near; extended to mean 'through' or 'by means of'). The combination shifts from literal spatial movement to the figurative sense of obtaining or coming into possession of something.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“Good programming skills don't come by easily - you need years of practice.”
“My neighbor always comes by at dinner time - I think she can smell my cooking!”
“Where did you come by this ancient recipe for kimchi?”
“Wisdom doesn't come by overnight - it's earned through experience and mistakes.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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