Grammar fix
cross paths with someone
meet by chance
To meet someone unexpectedly, often for a short time or at one point in your lives.
How oftenNow and then
LevelB2
Used inSpeech & writing
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
I crossed paths with a former colleague while I was travelling through Manchester.
I have crossed paths with people from my old school in several different cities, which always makes the world feel surprisingly small.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: I crossed my paths with an old friend.
Say: I crossed paths with an old friend.
The usual phrase is 'cross paths with someone', without 'my' or 'our'.
Don't confuse it
Other ways to say it
Find or meet something by chance
What you findSomethingSomeone
stumble acrossFind something by luck, often while browsing online.come acrossFind something, or meet someone, without looking.run intoMeet someone unexpectedly during your normal activities.
cross paths with someoneYou're here · Meet by chance, or have your lives briefly overlap.
bump intoCasual: meet someone you know by chance.