come across

come across somebody/something

Definition: to meet somebody or find something by chance

Examples: I came across one of my old friends this morning. ○ She came across a torn letter while sorting out the drawer.

come across

Definition: to be understood

Example: What the teacher said, I'm afraid, didn't come across.

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help off/on with

help somebody off/on with something

Definition: to help somebody to take off/put on a garment

Example: Can I help you on with your coat?

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scrape along/by (on)

scrape along/by (on something)

Definition: to manage to live with difficulty (on a small income)

Example: I was amazed he could scrape along on the pittance they paid.

Usage note: informal phrasal verb

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thumb through

thumb through something

Definition: to turn the pages of something, e.g. a book, quickly

Example: She spent half an hour in the bookshop thumbing through fashion magazines.

Derivative: thumb-through (noun)

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fill in (for)

fill in (for somebody)

Definition: to do somebody's work temporarily

Example: Jack's gone on holiday, so I'm filling in for him at the next meeting.

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