design

(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: accident

have designs on someone

to want to have a sexual relationship with someone. She suspected that Helen had designs on her husband.

have designs on something

to want to have something and to plan to get it. I knew that David had designs on my half of the business.

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: accident, more