Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

come upon the town

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.82 in modern English

Syllables: come upon the -town
IPA

27

Scrabble Score

15

Letters

2

Syllables

10

Unique Chars

Meaning

phrase

To become a prostitute; to turn to prostitution.

British usage; Obsolete

phrase

To receive public charity; to have one's living supported by public funding.

American usage

phrase

To make one's debut in town society; to become (known as) a man or woman about town.

American usage

Example Sentences

"To be sure, it would have been more for the advantage of conversation had Miss Lydia Bennet come upon the town; or, as the happiest alternative, been secluded from the world, in some distant farm house."
"While Brimfield people have never been very rich, they have been prudent and thrifty, and there have been very few so poor as to come upon the town for support."
"The daughter had children and they all three came upon the town for support, for they would not work."

Usage

British usage
Obsolete
American usage

Synonyms

come upon the parish

Questions

What does come upon the town mean?: To become a prostitute; to turn to prostitution.

How to pronounce come upon the town

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