come into (something or some place)

1. To enter a room, house, or other place. I was suspicious when everyone stopped talking as soon as I came into the room. OK, everybody yell "Surprise!" as soon as Jenn comes into the room, got it? If you have to come into the meeting late, please don't be disruptive.

2. To inherit or otherwise acquire something, often in a way that involves good fortune. I think she came into all of that money when her grandmother died. No, I didn't just come into money one day—I worked hard for every penny I ever made! Samantha came into some money when her father died—that's why she's been working to start her own business.

3. To obtain power or a particular office. Ever since Claire came into office, she's practically ignored the constituents she promised to help. Once you come into the role of governor, your days as an ordinary, private citizen are over. If that radical group comes into power, the country as we know it will be no more.

4. To reach a new level of maturity, independence, or success. Often said of young adults. In this usage, the phrase is followed by "(one's) own." Betsy has really come into her own this year. A full-time job, a new apartment—she's doing great! The terrified college student I hired to be our admin clerk has really come into his own working on the employment team. Not everyone comes into their own in their 20s—especially those of us who spent most of our 20s in school.

5. To reach a particular state. Our lives came into normalcy after my husband stopped working 80-hour weeks. I'm really sad now that we've come into our last weeks as college students. Once you two come into a routine as parents, things will get easier.

come into

1. Inherit, acquire, as in She expected to come into a fortune when she turned twenty-one. [Early 1700s]

2. Accede to power or office, as in He came into office in 1820 and served three terms. [Early 1800s]

3. come into one's own. Get rightful possession of something; achieve rightful recognition. For example, The serial composers have finally come into their own. [Early 1900s]

come into

1. To enter some enclosed space or region: When the president came into the room, everyone stood up.

2. To acquire something, especially by good fortune: Since her parents were so rich, she came into a fortune on her twenty-first birthday. The store managed to come into a huge number of winter hats, so they were put on sale.

3. To attain some state or condition: After some rearrangement, our plans came into good shape.