ENGLISH
REFERENCE

chance upon

idiom
Meaning

To find (someone or something) by chance.


Examples
SIMPLE

I happened to chance upon a rare coin in the park.

CONTEXTUAL

While walking through the old market, I chanced upon a beautiful painting that I had been looking for for years.

COMPLEX

During his research in the dusty archives, the historian chanced upon a collection of letters that revealed the truth about the forgotten king.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    blow one's chance

    To ruin, or fail to capitalise on an opportunity.

  2. 02

    Buckley's chance

    A very small chance; no chance at all.

  3. 03

    Chinaman's chance

    No chance; zero possibility.

  4. 04

    dog's chance

    Little or no likelihood.

  5. 05

    fat chance

    Little or no chance, a low or nonexistent likelihood of occurrence or success; a faint chance.

  6. 06

    fighting chance

    A chance that is dependent on success in a struggle, with the implication that such success is not unattainable.

  7. 07

    in with a chance

    Having a chance.

  8. 08

    jump at the chance

    To immediately accept an offer; to seize an opportunity.

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