cross someone's path

English

Verb

cross someone's path (third-person singular simple present crosses someone's path, present participle crossing someone's path, simple past and past participle crossed someone's path)

1. (idiomatic) To meet someone by chance.

   Synonym: bump into

   • 2017 January 26, Christopher D. Shea, “T2 Trainspotting’: The Early Reviews”, in New York Time‎^[1]:

     Ewan McGregor is back as the lead character, Renton, perhaps best remembered for his visit in the first film to the “Worst Toilet in Scotland.” Robert Carlyle appears as Begbie, who starts brawls with almost anyone who crosses his path; Ewen Bremner returns as the dimwitted Spud, who, in the first movie, has a memorable job interview while high on speed; and Jonny Lee Miller is back as Sick Boy, now known as Simon.

   None of the sportsmen who have crossed my path have made as great an impact on me as Ian.

2. (idiomatic) To oppose someone's plans.
   • 1842, Thomas Babington Macaulay, “The Battle of Lake Regillus”, in Lays of Ancient Rome:

     Woe to the maid whose lover
     Shall cross his path to-day!