event (redirected from eventless)

able to make an event

able to attend an event. (Able to can be replaced with can.) I don't think I'll be able to make your party, but thanks for asking me.

See also: able, make

blessed event

Fig. the birth of a child. My sister is expecting a blessed event sometime in May. The young couple anxiously awaited the blessed event.

See also: blessed

Coming events cast their shadows before.

Prov. Significant events are often preceded by signs that they are about to happen. (From Thomas Campbell's poem, "Lochiel's Warning.") If you pay attention to the news, you can generally tell when something momentous is about to happen. Coming events cast their shadows before.

See also: before, cast, coming, shadow

in any case and in any event

no matter what happens. I intend to be home by supper time, but in any case by eight o'clock. In any event, I'll see you this evening.

See also: any, case

in the event of something

if something happens; on the chance that something happens. In the event of his late arrival, please call me. In the event of rain, the parade is canceled.

in the unlikely event of something and in the unlikely event that something happens

if something—which probably will not happen—actually happens. In the unlikely event of my getting the job, I'll have to buy a car to get there every day. In the unlikely event of a fire, please walk quickly to an exit.

It is easy to be wise after the event.

Prov. After you see the consequences of a decision, it is easy to tell if the decision was good, but it is also too late, since the consequences have already happened. Jill: I should never have invited Aunt Betsy to stay with me; I haven't had a peaceful moment since she got here. Jane: Well, it's easy to be wise after the event.

See also: after, easy, wise

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It's easy to be wise after the event.  (British, American & Australian) also It's easy to be smart after the fact. (American)

something that you say which means that it is easy to understand what you could have done to prevent something bad from happening after it has happened In retrospect I suppose we should have realised that she was in trouble and tried to help her, but then I suppose it's easy to be wise after the event. People often tell me they'd never have taken out a loan if they'd thought about it more carefully - but it's easy to be smart after the fact.

See also: after, easy, wise

the happy event  (humorous)

the birth of a child So when are they expecting the happy event?

See also: happy

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in any case

whatever happens in any event You should be able to catch a bus, but in any case you can always take a taxi home. In any case, you should test drive the car before buying it.

Usage notes: the same meaning can be also expressed by come what may, come hell or high water, at (the very) least, and either way

Related vocabulary: one way or the other

See also: any, case

in any event also at all events

whatever happens in any case I hope to meet her this afternoon, but in any event I have to return home tomorrow.

Usage notes: the same meaning can also be expressed by at (the very) least, come hell or high water, come what may, and either way

Related vocabulary: one way or the other

See also: any

in the event of something also in the event that something happens

if something should happen In the event of war, we have to be prepared to send in troops. Travel insurance protects you in the event that you have to cancel your trip.

Usage notes: sometimes used in the form in the unlikely event (if something should happen that you do not expect to happen): In the unlikely event of a fire, alarms will sound and you should exit immediately.

Related vocabulary: in case of something