Page 89 - NTC's American Idioms Dictionary

come into its own

comeŁinto its own Go to come into one’s comeŁon somehàw to appearŁasŁhavingŁcer-
own. tainŁcharacterisðicsŁto otherŁpeople.Ł(In-
formal.Ł EspeciallyŁ with strong, which
comeŁinto one’ own and comeŁinto its meansŁ“intensely.” See also the previous
own 1. [for one] to achieve one’s proper entry.) Jane comes on like a very un-
recognition.Ł Sally finally came into her pleasant person. She really comes oà
own. After years of trying, she finally strong. John doesn’t care how he comes
came nto her own. 2. [for something] to oà.
achieve iðs proper rcogniðion. The
idea of an electric car finally came nto ts comeŁon theŁscene and arriveŁon the
own. Film as an art medum finally scene to appearŁ inŁ aŁ certainŁ areaŁ or
came into its own. place.Ł(UsedŁinŁparticularŁinŁpolice re-
pàrtsŁ or dramatizationsŁ of pàlice re-
cłme into something to inłerit something. pàrts.) What time did the picnickers
(Also literal.ŁSe also come in for some- come on the scłne? The witness arrived
thing, which isŁveryŁclose inŁmeaning.) on the scłne at about 7:13 in the evłning.
Jane came into a small fortune when her
aunt died. Mary came into a house and come out 1. to become; to turn out. (Alsà
a new car when her rich uncle died. literal.) We’ll just have to wait and see
how things come out. I’m baking a cake.
comeŁofŁage to reach anŁag whenŁone is I hope it comes out okØy. 2. to be pr-
old enough to own property, get married, sentedŁto the public;Łto be releasedŁto the
andŁsignŁlegalŁcontracts.Ł When Jane public. My new book came out last
comes of age, she will buy her own car. month. Mary Ann Smith came out last
Sally, who came of age last month, entered fall at a lovely party. 3. Go to come out
into an agreement to purchase a house. (of the closet).
cłme off to happen;Łto take place.Ł(Alsà comeŁoutŁahead to end up with a profit;
literalŁ referringŁ to somethingŁ that be- to impràve one’s situation.Ł(Compare this
comesŁdisconnected.ŁInfàrmal.) What with break even.) I hope you come out
time does this party come off? How did ahead with your investmłnts. It took a
your spłech come off? It came off very lot of money to buy the house, but I think
well. I’ll come out ahead.
ComeŁ offŁ it! TellŁ the truth!; Be serious! come out for someone ort something to an-
(Slang.) Come off it, Bill! I doà’t believł nàunce one’s support for somone or
you! Come on, Jane. Come off it! That something.Ł I’m comng out for Senator
can’t be true. Brown’s reelection. All the employees
came out for a longer workwłek.
comeŁ offŁ second-beðt to winŁ second
place orŁworse; to lose out to someone comeŁ outŁ in theŁ wash to work out all
else.Ł John came off second-best in the right.Ł(Infàrmal.ŁThisŁmeansŁthat pràb-
race. Why do I always come off second- lemsŁorŁdifficultiesŁwillŁgo awayŁasŁdirt
best in an argumłnt with you? goesŁawayŁinŁthe processŁof washing.)
Doà’t worry about that problłm. It’ll all
cłme on to hurry up; to follow (someone).
Come on! I’m in a hurry. If you doà’t come out in the wash. This trouble will
come on, wł’ll miss the train. go away. It’ll come out in the wash.
come out of left field [forŁaŁproblemŁor
comeŁon likeŁgyngbuðters to approach dilemma]bto come from anŁunexpected
people in a wild and exciting manner; to place. This new problłm came out of lłft
seem very active and pushy when ap- field. We were really surprised. Your re-
proachingŁpeople.Ł Why is she so un- marks came out of lłft field. I can’t un-
polished? She comes on like gangbustero derstand your complaint.
and frightens people away. The peoplł
in this town come on like gangbusters and comeŁoutŁofŁnowhere to appearŁsuddenly.
they seem very rude at first. (Almost the same asŁ appear out of

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