Phrasal verbs with across

Here is a list of the most common phrasal verbs using the word across. Each expression is followed by its meaning or definition. Example sentences are also given.

Come across

To come across somebody is to meet them by chance.

• I came across an old friend of mine yesterday.
• She is the most interesting woman I have ever come across in all my life.

If someone comes across in a particular way, you have a particular opinion of them.

• She came across as warm and friendly.

Cut across

To cut across something is to go across a piece of land instead of going around the edge of it.

• We cut across the paddy fields to save time.

Get across

To get something across is to make people understand it.

• She had no trouble getting her message across.

Put across

To put something across is to explain it in a way that is easy to understand.

• The television can be an effective tool for putting across health messages.

To put yourself across is to express your ideas clearly and well.

• She puts herself across very well.

Run across

To run across somebody / something is to find them by chance.

• I ran across these notes while tidying the room.

Stumble across

To stumble across is to find something by accident.

• While surfing the internet, I stumbled across an interesting website.

The expression stumble upon has a very similar meaning.

Come across with

To come across with something is to provide that which is needed.