come with the territory
To be a common, and often inconvenient, accompaniment of an occupation, situation, or occurrence.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“Long hours come with the territory in this job.”
“Sore muscles come with the territory when you start a new exercise routine.”
“Dealing with angry customers is unpleasant, but it comes with the territory when you work in retail.”
“If you want to be a professional athlete, traveling every week and missing family events simply comes with the territory.”
“While the fame and public adoration were rewarding, the constant lack of privacy was a burden that inevitably came with the territory of being a world-renowned artist.”
disputed origin
Probably an allusion to the commercial districts assigned to travelling salesmen, the phrase likely emerged from the necessary, if occasionally tiresome, difficulties inherent to such a post. The travel, the lodgings, and the professional rebuffs were understood to be inseparable from the job. The expression suggests that a specific role cannot be neatly detached from its less agreeable requirements.
- 01
appetite comes with eating
Starting an activity increases one's desire to continue it.
- 02
as they come
As it is possible to be.
- 03
blow to kingdom come
To totally destroy (something); to annihilate or wipe out (something).
- 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.
- 05
Christmas come early
Something very delightful or fortunate that is happening or has happened, especially earlier than expected.
- 06
come a cropper
To suffer some accident or misfortune; to fail.
- 07
come a long way
To make significant progress.
- 08
come again
A polite formula used when one has not heard or understood what has been said, or to indicate surprise.
Last updated August 10, 2026