English Reference
Idiom idiom

come again


A polite formula used when one has not heard or understood what has been said, or to indicate surprise.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

I did not hear you, could you come again?

CONTEXTUAL

The music was so loud that I had to ask him to come again when he told me his name.

COMPLEX

When he suggested that we cancel the entire project, I paused and asked him to come again, as I could not believe my ears.


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    appetite comes with eating

    Starting an activity increases one's desire to continue it.

  2. 02

    as they come

    As it is possible to be.

  3. 03

    blow to kingdom come

    To totally destroy (something); to annihilate or wipe out (something).

  4. 04

    burn that bridge when one comes to it

    To anticipate dealing with a problem or situation either by acting in a manner that alienates or cuts ties with others, or merely with the expectation of encountering trouble.

  5. 05

    Christmas come early

    Something very delightful or fortunate that is happening or has happened, especially earlier than expected.

  6. 06

    come a cropper

    To suffer some accident or misfortune; to fail.

  7. 07

    come a long way

    To make significant progress.

  8. 08

    come alive

    to become responsive and animated.

Last updated August 10, 2026