"fue a dar finalmente a un seminario" meaning

Question

I don't understand the meaning of "dar" in the following sentence. I've tried substituting the two dozen meanings of "dar", and I've viewed about a hundred phrases/idioms. They don't seem to represent the same idea as the English version (he attended a seminary). Can someone explain?

"Como sea, a los veinti-tantos fue a dar finalmente a un seminario en Australia. Cuando se hartó de teología y filosofía, regresó..."

The English version reads, " Whatever happened, in his early twenties he eventually ended up in a seminary in Australia. When Mack had his fill of theology and philosophy he came back..."

",,,, fue a dar finalmente a un seminario..." seems to say "he eventually went to give to a seminary..."

Seems like "Finalmente, fue a un seminario en Australia." would work perfectly here. What are they trying to say?

Thank you!

Answer 1

That means that he ended up in a seminary in Australia. "Fue a dar", gives the idea that he was taken there by the circumstances.

Good answer. You get my vote on this one. I think I have seen this idiom before somewhere. - PumpkinCalabaza, Jul 30, 2012

I see reference to this now, "ir a dar", "fue a dar". It matches the English idea "ended up". Awesome! Thank you Guillermo2! - amaken, Jul 30, 2012

Answer 2

I think it means that he was going to give a seminar as the speaker.

Answer 3

As Mariana says: He went to hold or to give the seminar.. i.e., he was the speaker at the seminar.