Meaning

"Come on" has several jobs, and your voice tells people which one you mean. As a reaction, "Oh, come on" means "That's not fair" or "I don't believe that." You say it when the referee makes a bad call, when the price is ridiculous, or when a friend tells an obvious lie. It can also mean "Hurry up," "Please, do it" and "You can do it." In fast speech it becomes "c'mon".

It is casual and full of feeling. Between friends, it's fine in every meaning. The protest version can sound impatient or even rude if you aim it at a person, like a coworker who asks for more time. In a calm, polite setting, try "Really? Are you sure?" or "That doesn't seem right to me." The encouraging "Come on, you've got this" is always kind.

In a conversation

MarcusSora
  1. Marcus
  2. Sora
  3. Marcus
  4. Sora
  5. Marcus

Say it out loud

Tap a sentence to hear it. Say it after the voice.

Check yourself

1Sora says "Oh, come on" when Marcus refuses. What does she mean?
2A runner is tired near the end of a race. A friend shouts "Come on." What does it mean?

Practice · 3 min

Listen, then say each line and change the feeling each time: protest, hurry, then encouragement.

Say it today

Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.