chance upon
B2 neutral inseparable transitive
In simple words
To find something or meet someone without planning to — it just happens.
Literal meaning: To arrive upon something purely by chance — without any intention or plan.
Meanings
1 B2
idiomatic
neutral
To find something by pure accident when not looking for it.
"The researchers chanced upon a previously unknown cave system during a routine survey."
Grammar: inseparable
2 B2
idiomatic
neutral
To meet someone unexpectedly.
"She chanced upon her old professor at the farmers' market on Saturday morning."
"I chanced upon this letter while searching through the archives."
— Common formulation in historical and academic writing; widely attested in published memoirs and scholarship.
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Slightly literary or formal. More common in written narrative contexts. 'Upon' adds a slightly more elevated tone compared to 'on'. Used with both objects (books, places) and people. Common in literature and journalism.
Commonly used with
document clue answer person treasure discovery evidence
Forms
Base
chance upon
I/you/we/they
3rd person
chances upon
he/she/it
Past simple
chanced upon
yesterday
Past participle
chanced upon
have + pp
-ing form
chancing upon
continuous
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Synonyms
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