Stumble across

Pro Tip 1/3

Accidental Discovery

Use 'stumble across' when you find something unexpectedly while doing something else.

She stumbled across an old love letter while she was redecorating her room.

Pro Tip 2/3

Chance Encounter

'Stumble across' suggests a chance meeting of people or animals unexpectedly.

I stumbled across my old teacher while hiking in the mountains.

Pro Tip 3/3

No Active Search

'Stumble across' implies that there is no active searching involved; the discovery is made by luck.

On my walk, I stumbled across a rare bird nesting in the bushes.