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Chance Upon

What Does "Chance Upon" Mean?

homeidiomsChance Upon
"Chance upon" is an English idiom. It means "to find or encounter something or someone by chance."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "chance upon" used in a sentence:
  • I chanced upon an old photo album while cleaning the attic.
  • She chanced upon her childhood friend while traveling.
  • While hiking, we chanced upon a hidden waterfall.
meaning for chance upon

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Chance Upon" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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