as they come: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘as they come’ mean?
The idiom "as they come" means accepting or judging things or people without any qualifications or conditions. It implies taking things or people as they are, without trying to change or improve them.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "let nature take its course" means to allow events to unfold naturally without interference or intervention, accepting the outcome as it occurs.
The idiom "it is what it is" is used to accept and acknowledge a situation or problem that cannot be changed or controlled. It emphasizes acceptance of reality and encourages focusing on the present moment rather than dwelling on things that cannot be altered.
The idiom "have it coming" means to deserve or expect something, usually negative, as a consequence of one's actions or behavior.
This idiom means to adapt to a situation or circumstance without resisting or trying to control it. It implies going along with whatever is happening and not trying to change or fight against it.
The idiom "easy come, easy go" means that something acquired quickly or easily is just as easily lost or taken away.
The idiom "come with the territory" means that certain difficulties or responsibilities are to be expected in a particular situation or occupation.
The idiom "come what may" means to face or accept whatever may happen or come, without worrying or fearing the outcome. It implies a determination to confront challenges or difficulties with courage and perseverance.
The idiom "come thick and fast" means that something is happening or being presented rapidly and in large numbers.
The idiom "come right" means to arrive or appear suddenly or unexpectedly. It is often used to describe someone or something appearing at the perfect moment or in a timely manner.
Decoding Variations
Idiom: as they come
The idiom "as they come" is a phrase commonly used in informal speech in the English language. It is derived from the verb "come," which means to move toward, approach, or arrive at a particular place or position. The phrase "as they come" is an adverbial phrase that modifies the verb "come" and indicates that something is accepted or dealt with in the exact state or condition in which it presents itself. This idiom suggests accepting something or someone without making any changes or demanding any special conditions. It can be used in various contexts to describe people, situations, or things.
The idiom "come what may" is related to the idiom "as they come". "Come what may" is an idiomatic phrase that means regardless of what happens or what difficulties may arise. It conveys a sense of determination and willingness to face whatever challenges or obstacles come along. Similar to "as they come", "come what may" signifies a state of acceptance and readiness to deal with things as they unfold, without trying to control or alter the circumstances.
The idiom "as it happens" also relates to "as they come". "As it happens" is an expression used to indicate that something occurred coincidentally or unexpectedly. It implies that the event or situation being described was not planned or anticipated. In the context of "as they come", "as it happens" reinforces the idea of accepting things or people without any preconceived notions or expectations. It suggests a willingness to embrace the spontaneous and unscripted nature of life without trying to impose any predetermined conditions.
The idiom "as they come" is a widely used phrase in informal speech. It suggests accepting something or someone in their natural state or condition without any changes or special conditions. The related idioms "come what may" and "as it happens" add further nuances to this concept of acceptance, emphasizing the readiness to face challenges and embracing the unexpected. These idioms reflect a conversational and informal style of communication, characteristic of the English language.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom "as they come" can be used:
- She is an amazing chef, one of the best as they come.
- He may not be the most skilled musician, but he's as enthusiastic as they come.
- As far as managers go, she's as fair as they come.