1. Home
2. Idioms
3. chance on

chance on

---

---

chance (up)on someone or something

to find someone or something by accident; to happen on someone or something. (Upon is formal and less commonly used than on.) I chanced upon a nice little restaurant on my walk today. I chanced on an old friend of yours in town today.

See also: chance, on

chance on

Also, chance upon. Happen upon, find or meet accidentally, as in In Paris we chanced on a wonderful little restaurant, or Andrew chanced upon his karate teacher in the health-food store. [Mid-1500s]

See also: chance, on

chance on

or upon

v.

To find or meet someone or something accidentally; happen upon someone or something: While in Atlanta we chanced on two old friends. I chanced upon my neighbor while I was shopping at the mall.

See also: chance, on