came good

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "came good" is correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase typically means that something that did not initially appear to be successful ended up working out well or was eventually successful. For example: After our team made several revisions, our project finally "came good" and was approved by the board.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Third in ranking came "good colleagues/boss".

The New York Times

He came good in the end.

The Guardian - Sport

'All those bad bets suddenly came good.

The Guardian - Books

But when it counted the team came good.

The Guardian - Sport

Borlotti beans, in their pink marbled pods, came good later.

The Guardian

But in the end, Borussia Dortmund came good on Saturday.

The Guardian - Sport

Then, at the dawn of 2015, came good tidings — from, of all places, Silicon Valley.

The New Yorker

After a shaky first half in which their left flank was exposed, Arsenal came good.

Independent

Britain was lucky: economically, it came good at just the right time.

The Economist

But despite that bad luck, Rashford stepped in at short notice and he came good.

The Guardian - Sport

This Games will go down as the one when British gymnastics came good.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "came good" to describe a situation, plan, or person that initially showed little promise but ultimately became successful or effective.

Common error

While "came good" is widely understood, it can sound informal in academic or highly professional writing. Consider using more formal alternatives like "proved successful" or "ultimately succeeded" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "came good" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase, indicating that something or someone has ultimately become successful after a period of difficulty or initial lack of promise. As Ludwig AI suggests, this phrase is widely recognised and accepted in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Sport

28%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "came good" is a common and acceptable idiomatic expression used to describe situations or individuals that ultimately become successful after an initial period of struggle or lack of promise. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is widely recognized and accepted in English. It is most frequently found in news and sports contexts, with a more neutral to informal register. For formal writing, it's advisable to consider alternatives such as "proved successful" or "ultimately succeeded". Ludwig's examples highlight the diverse applications of this phrase, reinforcing its meaning and usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

came through

Highlights fulfilling expectations or overcoming difficulties.

proved successful

Focuses on the outcome of success, omitting the initial struggle.

turned out well

Emphasizes the positive resolution of a situation.

ultimately succeeded

Highlights the final achievement after a period of effort.

eventually flourished

Suggests a gradual development toward a thriving state.

paid off in the end

Implies that previous effort yielded beneficial results.

blossomed

Conveys a sense of growth and positive transformation.

realized potential

Stresses the fulfillment of previously untapped capabilities.

delivered results

Emphasizes the achievement of concrete and measurable outcomes.

vindicated expectations

Focuses on justifying previous hopes or beliefs.

FAQs

How can I use "came good" in a sentence?

You can use "came good" to describe something that was initially unsuccessful but eventually turned out well. For example, "After a shaky start, the team finally "came good" in the second half".

What's a similar phrase to "came good" that I can use?

Similar phrases to "came good" include "proved successful", "turned out well", or "ultimately succeeded". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct: "came good" or "come good"?

"Came good" is the past tense form and is used when referring to something that has already happened. "Come good" is the base form and is less common, but may be used in hypothetical or future scenarios.

Is "came good" appropriate for formal writing?

While widely understood, "came good" is generally considered informal. In formal writing, consider alternatives like "proved successful" or "delivered results" for a more professional tone.