Phrasal verb
come for
Meanings
to arrive in order to pick someone up or collect something
to go to a place to get something that is ready to be taken away
to criticize, confront, or attack someone (often verbally or online)
Definition
To come for someone or something means to arrive in order to get them or take them somewhere.
"Come for" is used when a person arrives with the purpose of collecting someone or something. It often means picking someone up to take them to another place, or retrieving an item that is ready. In informal speech, it can also mean to criticize or attack someone, especially online.
Examples
- I’ll come for you at 7 and we can head to the concert.
- They came for us after class because the bus was delayed.
- She came for her jacket the next day because she left it at my place.
- He came for the pizza order and waited by the door.
- If you post that, people might come for you in the comments.
Common mistake
Learners often say "come to me" when they mean "come for me" (arrive to pick me up).
More phrasal verbs
- go on To go on means to continue or keep happening.
- carry out To carry out something means to do it or complete it, especially a plan, task, or instruction.
- set up To set up means to arrange or prepare something so it is ready to use or happen.
- pick up “Pick up” most commonly means to collect someone or something from a place, usually by going there.
- go back To go back means to return to a place, time, or earlier situation.