accident

accidents will happen

something that you say in order to make someone feel less guilty when they have just damaged something that does not belong to them. Oh well, accidents will happen. I can always buy another bowl.

See also: happen

an accident waiting to happen

a very dangerous situation in which an accident is very likely. The speed that people drive along this road, it's an accident waiting to happen.

See also: happen, waiting

be a chapter of accidents (British & Australian, formal)

to be a series of unpleasant events. The whole trip was a chapter of accidents.

See also: chapter

(whether) by accident or design

whether intended to be this way or not. The system, whether by accident or design, benefits people who live in the cities more than people who live in the country.

See also: design

a happy accident

a pleasant situation or event that is not planned or intended. We never planned to have a third child - it was a happy accident.

See also: happy

more by accident than (by) design

because of luck and not because of skill. I kicked the ball and, more by accident than design, it found its way into the net.

See also: design, more