come from (someone or something)
1. To travel from one location to another. She's coming all the way from the city, so she'll probably be late to dinner. A: "Did you come from school?" B: "Yeah, that's why I'm still in my uniform." I'm so sorry, I was coming from work and the boss grabbed me at the last second.
2. To arrive after having been sent from someone or something or from somewhere. Look at this beautiful gift that came from my best friend! She sent it last week, but it didn't get here in time for my birthday. That certified letter came from a law firm. Whoa, where did this check for $5,000 come from?
3. To have a particular perspective or attitude regarding a person or situation. As your mother, I'm just coming from a place of love and concern; I'm not trying to smother you. I understand where you're coming from, but I still don't agree with your decision. How can you say something like that? Henry, you come from money—you have no idea what it's like to be poor in today's world.
4. To originate from a specific location. I live in Texas now, but I come from Boston, where I was born. Did this coffee come from that new place on the corner? The new professor came from Harvard? Aw man, his class is probably gonna be a ton of work then!
5. To be caused by something in particular. Most of my illnesses come from the adorable preschoolers I teach. Where did this dent in my car come from? Dude, where is all this anger coming from? I didn't start the rumor about you!
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
come from
v.1. To arrive from some location: We just came from New York.
2. To originate in some location, especially where one was born, grew up, or currently lives: I come from Buenos Aires, which is also where I went to college.
3. To have something as an origin or cause; stem from something: That bad cough comes from too much smoking.
4. To have an attitude or opinion because of some situation: You must understand that I'm coming from seven years of hard work on this project. I don't see why he makes these suggestions; I just don't know where he's coming from.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.