verbal phr. (colloquial).—To happen; to occur; to result from.—See also COME, sense 1.
1609. JONSON, The Case is Altered, iv. 3. His muse sometimes cannot curvet, nor prognosticate and COME OFF, as it should; no matter, I’ll hammer out a paraphrase for thee myself.
1857. DICKENS, The Detective Police, in Reprinted Pieces, p. 239. In consequence of which appointment the party ‘CAME OFF,’ which we are about to describe.
1870. WILKIE COLLINS, Man and Wife, in Cassell’s Magazine, p. 292, col. 1. ‘The betting’s at five to four, my dear. And the race COMES OFF in a month from this.’
1872. Civilian, 10 Aug. Unfortunately, the event, to use the language of the turf, did not COME OFF, and considerable disappointment was manifested.
1883. Graphic, Aug. 11, p. 138, col. 2. Batting is his forte, though he does not always COME OFF.
