accidentally-on-purpose

accidentally on purpose

Seemingly unintentionally but actually deliberately. Sometimes hyphenated. Paula is pretty shy, so I think she forgot to attend the party accidentally on purpose. Ella also has a crush on Ben, so I bet she "forgot" to give you his message accidentally on purpose! I might have accidentally-on-purpose put your résumé on the top of the pile so my boss would see it first.

See also: accidentally, on, purpose

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

accidentally-on-purpose

Inf. deliberate, but meant to look like an accident. Then, I accidentally-on-purpose spilled water on him.

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

accidentally-on-purpose

mod. deliberate, but meant to look like an accident. Then I accidentally-on-purpose spilled water on him.

McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.