by default
1. Used to describe an outcome that happens because nothing has been done to change or prevent it. If you don't start saving money now, while you're young, you'll be working till you're 90 by default. Because we got here late, we ended up with the most boring tour guide on the planet by default. He's seriously putting me to sleep. If you don't start dating more serious guys, you're going to end up with a doofus by default.
2. By forfeit. Used to describe a contest whose outcome is determined by a competitor's absence. If the other team can't field enough players, then we'll win by default. You better get your brother to meet us at the baseball field, and quick, or we'll lose this game by default. Man, this loss by default sure stings. I can't believe so many of my teammates couldn't even be bothered to show up!
default on (something)
To fail to repay a loan on something (which often results in the loss of that thing). If you default on your car loan, your car might get repossessed. Don't agree to a monthly payment you can't afford. The last thing you want to do is default on your mortgage. If I default on this loan, it's really going to screw up my credit, isn't it?
in default of (something)
Due to the absence or lack of something; through the failure of something. Though it was only a speeding ticket, Janet was imprisoned in default of paying the fine. In default of concrete evidence, the jury was obligated to acquit the defendant of murder. In default of security cam footage, this is just a he-said, she-said incident.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
default on something
to fail to act in some way regarding something, such as failing to make a payment, thereby losing one's right to the thing in question. You are not going to default on your loan, are you? She defaulted on her mortgage payments and lost the house.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
in default of
Through the failure, absence, or lack of, as in In default of a better solution, we'll have to make do with this one. This term was originally put as for default of, but John Gower had the current wording in Confessio Amantis (1397): "The fish, if it be dry, might in default of water die." [Late 1200s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
by deˈfault
1 a game or competition can be won by default if there are no other competitors: The other team didn’t even turn up, so we won by default.
2 if something happens by default, it happens because you have not made any other decision or choices which would make things happen differently: It was never my ambition to get into teaching. I became a teacher more by default than by choice.in deˈfault of something
(formal) because of a lack of something: They accepted what he had said in default of any evidence to disprove it.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
in default of
Through the failure, absence, or lack of.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.