SINCE 1828

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happen along

idiom

variants: or happen by

Definition of happen along

US, literary + old-fashioned

: to come to or by a place by chance

He was about to leave when his old girlfriend happened by.

Word by Word Definitions

happen play

: to occur by chance
: to come into being or occur as an event, process, or result
: to do, encounter, or attain something by or as if by chance

See the full definition of happen

along play

: in a line matching the length or direction of
: in the course of
: in accordance with : in

: forward, on
: from one to another
: in company : as a companion

See the full definition of along

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