# come on

CEFR A2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/come-on
Updated: 2026-10-22

## Definition

You use this to tell someone to hurry up or to encourage them to do something. It can also show that you do not believe what someone is saying.

For teachers: An intransitive phrasal verb used as an imperative to urge someone to hurry, exert effort, or begin an action. It also serves as an interjection to express disbelief or protest.

## Examples

- Come on, we need to leave now or we will miss the bus.
- When the runner started to slow down near the finish line, the crowd began to cheer "Come on!" to encourage him.
- "Oh, come on," she exclaimed, her patience finally snapping as she listened to yet another elaborate justification for his repeated failure to meet the project deadlines.

## Pitfalls

- Not "Come on to my office." but "Come into my office." — Learners often confuse 'come on' with 'come in' when inviting someone to enter a physical space.

## Usage notes

- Usually stands alone as an exclamation or appears at the beginning of a sentence.
- Teaching tip: Contrast the 'hurry up' meaning with the 'I don't believe you' meaning by practicing different intonation patterns in class.

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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.