# come into sth

CEFR A1 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/come-into-sth
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

To get money or property from someone after they die. This is also called inheriting.

For teachers: To receive money, property, or a title by inheritance. This is a transitive and inseparable phrasal verb.

## Examples

- She came into a small fortune.
- After his grandfather passed away, he came into enough money to buy a house.
- Upon the death of the reclusive duke, the young man unexpectedly came into a vast estate and a title he was unprepared for.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He came to a lot of money." but "He came into a lot of money." — The correct particle is 'into', not 'to', for the meaning of 'inherit'.

## Usage notes

- The object is almost always a form of wealth or property, like 'money', 'a fortune', or 'an estate'.
- Teaching tip: Contrast 'come into' (to receive an inheritance) with 'go into' (to enter a profession or state), as learners may confuse the prepositions.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.