chance upon

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Word: Chance Upon

Definition: The phrase "chance upon" means to find or discover something unexpectedly or by accident. It suggests a sense of surprise or luck in finding something you weren’t actively looking for.

Usage Instructions:

• "Chance upon" is a verb phrase used when you stumble upon something unexpectedly.
• It usually refers to things like objects, places, or information that you discover without planning to do so.

Examples:

1. Basic Example: While walking through the park, I chanced upon an old friend I hadn’t seen in years.
2. Advanced Example: The archaeologists chanced upon an ancient tomb while excavating the site, revealing treasures from a lost civilization.

Variants:

• Chance (verb): To have a possibility of something happening.
• Chance (noun): A possibility or likelihood of something occurring.

Different Meanings:

• "Chance" can also mean luck or fortune (e.g., "She took a chance and applied for the job").
• "Upon" means "on" or "in contact with," but in this phrase, it emphasizes the unexpected nature of the discovery.

Synonyms:

• Discover
• Stumble upon
• Come across
• Find by accident

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• Stumble upon: This is a synonym that means to find something unexpectedly, similar to "chance upon."

  • Example: I stumbled upon a delightful little cafe while exploring the city.

• Come across: Another synonym that means to find something unexpectedly.

  • Example: I came across some old photos while cleaning my attic.

Summary:

"Chance upon" is a useful phrase for expressing the idea of discovering something by accident. It adds an element of surprise to your vocabulary, making it more vivid when talking about unexpected encounters.

Academic

Verb

1. find unexpectedly
   • the archeologists chanced upon an old tomb
   • she struck a goldmine
   • The hikers finally struck the main path to the lake