happenhap‧pen /ˈhæpən/ ●●● S1 W1 verb [intransitive] 
When did the accident happen? It’s impossible to predict what will happen next.something/nothing/anything happens Something terrible has happened. She carried on as if nothing had happened. This was bound to happen sooner or later. This kind of thing happens all the time. We’ll still be friends, whatever happens.2 something/anything/what happens to somebody/something if something happens to someone or something, they are affected by an event: He should be here by now – something must have happened to him. The same thing happened to me last year. What’s happened to your coat? It’s all ripped.3 happen to do something if you happen to do something, you do it by chance: I happened to see James in town.4somebody/something happens to be something used when telling someone something in an angry way: This happens to be my house!5as it happens/it just so happens used to tell someone something that is surprising, interesting, or useful: As it happens, I know someone who might be able to help.6 these things happen used to tell someone not to worry about a mistake they have made, an accident they have caused etc: It’s not your fault – these things happen.7whatever happened to somebody/something? used to ask where a person or thing is now: Whatever happened to Steve? I haven’t seen him for years. → accidents (will) happen at accident(5)THESAURUShappen used especially when talking about events that have not been planned: · When did the accident happen?· Something terrible has happened!take place to happen – used especially when talking about events that have been planned or that have already happened: · The conference will take place on the 16th of June.· The competition took place on Saturday 30th June.occur formal to happen – used especially when talking about events that have not been planned: · The incident occurred outside the police station at around 9 pm.there is/there are used when saying that a particular event happens: · There was an earthquake about a week ago.· There are strikes almost every year.come up to happen – used about problems, questions, or opportunities: · There aren’t any jobs at the moment, but we’ll let you know if something comes up.· This question often comes up when I’m talking to students.arise formal to happen unexpectedly – used about problems, arguments, or difficult situations: · A dispute arose about who should receive the money.· It is best to deal with the problem as soon as it arises.crop up to happen – used about problems or difficult situations, especially ones that are less serious, and can quickly be dealt with: · The banks will contact their customers if a problem crops up.strike to happen suddenly and unexpectedly – used about very bad events: · The hurricane struck at around 1 am.· Disaster struck, and he lost all movement in his legs.turn out to happen in a particular way: · Luckily, everything turned out well.· How did it all turn out?happen on/upon somebody/something phrasal verb literary or old-fashioned to find something or meet someone by chance SYN come across: I happened on the restaurant by chance.
WORD ORIGINhappen
Origin:
1300-1400 hap ( ➔ HAPPY)VERB TABLE
happen
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | it | happens |
| Present | happen | |
| Past | it, they | happened |
| Present perfect | they | have happened |
| it | has happened | |
| Past perfect | it, they | had happened |
| Future | it, they | will happen |
| Future perfect | it, they | will have happened |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | they | are happening |
| it | is happening | |
| Past | they | were happening |
| it | was happening | |
| Present perfect | they | have been happening |
| it | has been happening | |
| Past perfect | it, they | had been happening |
| Future | it, they | will be happening |
| Future perfect | it, they | will have been happening |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Before I realised what was happening, the man had grabbed my bag and run off with it.
- For some time there had been predictions of a major earthquake, and then on April 19, 1906, it happened.
- I want to make things up with her, but I don't think it's going to happen.
- Look, when I turn the key, nothing happens.
- The accident happened at two o'clock this afternoon.
- The accident happened early on Tuesday morning.
- The strangest thing happened when I was in Singapore.
- We'd always feared that this might happen.
- What's happened? Why are you crying?
- You mustn't go there alone at night. Anything might happen!
- At ninety-one it was bound to have happened before.
- But what will happen when the holders of all those assets outnumber the buyers?
- He telephoned you just after you'd gone and I told him what had happened.
- I couldn't understand what was happening to me and I began to sink deeper and deeper into the pit.
- Instead of standing idly by or opposing change, the union should become actively involved in making change happen.
- Look at what happened at Seattle, and the proposals of groups like Attac and Agir Ici.
- Whatever had happened, the experience had disturbed him.
THESAURUS
used especially when talking about events that have not been planned: · When did the accident happen?· Something terrible has happened!
to happen – used especially when talking about events that have been planned or that have already happened: · The conference will take place on the 16th of June.· The competition took place on Saturday 30th June.
formal to happen – used especially when talking about events that have not been planned: · The incident occurred outside the police station at around 9 pm.
used when saying that a particular event happens: · There was an earthquake about a week ago.· There are strikes almost every year.
to happen – used about problems, questions, or opportunities: · There aren’t any jobs at the moment, but we’ll let you know if something comes up.· This question often comes up when I’m talking to students.
formal to happen unexpectedly – used about problems, arguments, or difficult situations: · A dispute arose about who should receive the money.· It is best to deal with the problem as soon as it arises.
to happen – used about problems or difficult situations, especially ones that are less serious, and can quickly be dealt with: · The banks will contact their customers if a problem crops up.
to happen suddenly and unexpectedly – used about very bad events: · The hurricane struck at around 1 am.· Disaster struck, and he lost all movement in his legs.
to happen in a particular way: · Luckily, everything turned out well.· How did it all turn out?
Longman Language Activatorto happen · The accident happened at two o'clock this afternoon.· What's happened? Why are you crying?· The strangest thing happened when I was in Singapore.· Before I realised what was happening, the man had grabbed my bag and run off with it.anything can/could/might happen (=used to say that it is uncertain what will happen) · You mustn't go there alone at night. Anything might happen!
to happen - use this about events, performances, ceremonies and other things that have been planned to happen: · The wedding will take place at St Andrew's church.· Police are trying to prevent the demonstration from taking place.
if there is an event, accident, change etc, it happens: · There's a concert at the school next Saturday.· There has been a major accident on the Santa Monica Freeway.· I'll let you know if there's any change in our plans.
if a planned event is at a particular time or place, it happens or is arranged to happen at that time or place: · Dinner is at eight, so come at about half past seven.· Christmas will be on a Saturday next year.· Last year's degree ceremony was in the main university building.
formal to happen - use this especially about things that have not been planned or that people do not expect: · Major earthquakes like this occur very rarely.· The court will have to decide exactly what occurred on the night Mellor died.
to happen, especially as a result of earlier events or decisions: · Our problems came about because we ignored the advice of experts.· A number of educational reforms have come about as a result of the report.come about through: · The decrease in the number of salmon has come about through commercial overfishing.how did it come about that: · How did it come about that she married an awful man like that?
informal if something such as a problem crops up , it happens suddenly and unexpectedly: · A couple of problems cropped up while you were away.· If anything crops up, give me a call.· You have to learn to deal with difficult situations when they crop up.
if something, especially a problem or a chance to do something comes up , it happens unexpectedly: · He rang to say he would be late home -- something had come up at the office.· There are job vacancies from time to time. I'll let you know if anything comes up.· When the opportunity to go to the States came up, Dora took it at once.
if a planned event is coming up , it will happen soon: · Don't forget you've got exams coming up in a couple of weeks' time.· Our 12th annual Folk Festival is coming up again soon.
if something such as a job or a chance to do something turns up , it happens or becomes available, especially through good luck: · Ben's been looking for a job for two months, but nothing good's turned up.· I'd almost given up hope of finding a house I liked, and then suddenly this one turned up.
formal if a problem or difficult situation arises , it happens and comes to your attention: · It would be best to deal with these issues at once, before a crisis arises.arise over: · Several problems have arisen recently over questions of pay.arise from (=as a result of something): · The conflict arose from tensions between the different ethnic groups.
if something unpleasant strikes , it suddenly happens: · It is always devastating when this illness strikes.· Most people were fast asleep when the hurricane struck at 4.05 pm.
when what you want or expect happens · We'd always feared that this might happen.· For some time there had been predictions of a major earthquake, and then on April 19, 1906, it happened.· I want to make things up with her, but I don't think it's going to happen.
if your wishes, dreams etc come true , what you have wished for or dreamed about actually happens: · Patterson's dream came true when he won the Boston marathon on his first attempt.· People say that if you make a wish at the top of the hill, it always comes true.
also be realised British if your expectations, hopes, fears etc are realized , what you expected or hoped for actually happens: · At thirty-five her ambition of running her own business was finally realized.· My worst fears were realised when I saw what was on the exam paper.
if a wish or promise is fulfilled , what someone wished for or was promised actually happens: · Tom decided to run the farm himself, so that his father's wish might be fulfilled.· We knew that the 'democratic elections' were a promise which would not be fulfilled.
also materialise British if an event which has been planned, expected, or promised materializes , it actually happens: · Even if the salary rise materialises, it won't be worth much.· It was rumoured that Apple would be sold to Sun Microsystems, but that deal never materialized.fail to materialize (=not happen): · The promised recovery failed to materialize and unemployment kept on rising.
ways of saying something happens to someone or something if something happens to someone or something, it happens and has an effect on them, usually a bad effect: · I wonder what's happened to Dave. He should have been here by now.· A lot of people don't seem to care about what is happening to the environment.it can happen to anyone (=use this to emphasize that something is not someone's fault): · The crash wasn't her fault, it could have happened to anyone.·
if someone experiences something such as a problem, a difficult situation etc, it happens to them: · Many local companies have recently been experiencing financial difficulties.experience difficulties/problems etc with: · They've experienced a lot of problems with their eldest son.experience something at first hand (=experience something personally): · It is shocking to think of boys as young as sixteen experiencing at first hand the horrors of war.
if someone or something undergoes a change or an unpleasant event, it happens to them or it is done to them: · He has undergone tremendous emotional problems following the breakdown of his marriage.· In the last few years the museum has undergone extensive renovation.· Part of Mrs Galley's right arm was shattered and she underwent a five-hour emergency operation.
to get a particular reaction, especially an unpleasant one, from other people: · The initial plan to sell off part of the company met with intense criticism.meet with something from somebody: · Many working women still meet with prejudice from men.· Rebel forces entered the town and met with no resistance from government troops.
to happen with a good or bad result to happen so that the final result is good, bad, unexpected etc: · We were worried when only twenty people came to the party but it turned out very well.· How did things turn out in the end?turn out to be something: · I was a bit doubtful at first, but it turned out to be a really good idea.not turn out as planned/expected: · We wanted the baby to be born at home, but it didn't quite turn out as planned.as it turned out (=used to say that this is what happened in the end): · As it turned out, James was delayed and didn't arrive until three.
informal to happen with a particular result, especially a successful or unsuccessful one: · Some election campaigns work out better than others.· We had a few problems when Jake first gave up work, but things are panning out very well now.· I'm not sure if we'll decide to get married or not - we'll wait and see how things work out.
: go well/badly/smoothly etc if something such as an arranged event or someone's work goes well, badly etc, it happens in a way that is successful, unsuccessful etc: · Did the party go well?· Things went badly for the company last year. Their profits are down by 50%.· How's the job going these days?
: go off well/successfully/smoothly etc if an arranged event goes off well, successfully etc, it happens and is completed without any problems: · Thanks to the helpful staff at the hotel, the conference went off very well.· I'm sure that everything will go off smoothly on the day.go off without a hitch (=happen without any problems): · Everyone was relieved when the ceremony at the Ambassador's residence went off without a hitch.
ways of saying that something is happening · She looked out of the window to see what was happening.· Property prices continue to rise and we still don't understand exactly why it's happening.what's happening? · The room began to shake and we stared at each other in terror. "What's happening?'' asked Robert.
if something is going on it is happening, especially if it makes you feel worried or annoyed: · It was obvious from the way they kept looking at each other that there was something going on.what's going on?: · "What's going on at the town hall?'' asked my mother. "There's a huge crowd of people there.''
formal if an arranged event, game, or operation is in progress , it has started and has not finished yet: · By the time we got to the stadium, the match was already in progress.· There must be no noise in the school while examinations are in progress.· An emergency relief operation is already in progress in Southern Sudan.
to be happening now or to be going to happen: · The summer sales are on next week.· People have to learn to economize when there is a war on.· The presidential election was on when we arrived in the States.
if an organized activity or an event such as a party is in full swing , it has already been happening for some time and people are taking part in a very active way: · By 10 o'clock the party was in full swing and everyone was dancing.· Barcelona was full of visitors, and preparations for the Olympic Games were in full swing.
if a plan or a system is in operation , it is being used and is working: · Over 20 training programmes are in operation, with almost 2000 trainees.
to happen again · She apologized for the incident and promised it wouldn't happen again.· I think I've solved the problem with your computer, but let me know if it happens again.
formal to happen again, once or repeatedly: · Although the treatment for skin cancer is usually successful, the problem can recur later.· Some people find that the same dream keeps recurring over a period of many years.
an event or action that is the same as something that happened before: repetition/repeat of: · Hopefully, the experience will help us to avoid a repetition of our mistakes.· A lot of the lesson was just a repetition of what we'd already done.· Will next Saturday's game be a repeat of Germany's triumph last season?
something that happens in exactly the same way as it happened before, usually with all the same problems: · The journey to work had taken hours that morning, and I wasn't looking forward to a repeat performance on the way home.repeat performance of: · We must try to make this summer camp a success. We don't want a repeat performance of last year's disaster.
use this to say that things happen again in just the same way: · Stricter controls of farming methods are needed, if we want to prevent the disaster from repeating itself.history repeats itself: · The Cambodian people were afraid that history would repeat itself.
something that happens, that is not planned something that happens, especially something that is important or interesting: · Meeting Professor Kearney was an event which changed my life.· The book discusses the events leading up to the outbreak of World War Two.· The evening meal is a time when all the family can get together and discuss the day's events.chain/sequence of events (=the order in which events happened): · Police are attempting to reconstruct the sequence of events on the night of the killing.the course of events (=the way that events happened): · Nothing we could have done would have changed the course of events.
informal something that happens: · So many things have happened since I last saw you.a funny thing happened: · A funny thing happened to me on the way to work this morning.not remember a thing (=used to emphasize that you do not remember what happened): · When I woke up the next morning, I couldn't remember a thing.
formal something that happens, use this especially to say whether something happens often or not often: a common/daily/frequent etc occurrence: · Vicious fights and arguments were a daily occurrence in the shipyards.· Earthquakes are an unusual occurrence in England but are not totally unknown.
something that happens, especially something that is unusual or unpleasant or something that is part of a longer series of events: · Apart from the incident in Las Vegas our vacation was completely trouble-free.· One violent incident turned into a political and family tragedy.a bomb/shooting/terrorist etc incident (=used especially in news reports): · Friday's shooting incident in East London led to several arrests.without incident (=without anything unpleasant happening): · The fans were well behaved, and the game was played without incident.
something that happens, especially something that is strange or unusual: · The happenings of the last two days had left me feeling dazed.· 'The X Files' is a fictional television programme about strange, unexplained happenings.
plural phenomena a natural or social process that can be seen or is known to happen, and is often studied: · We now know that our system of planets orbiting the sun is not a unique phenomenon.· The cell phone is a relatively recent phenomenon. It's difficult at the moment to assess its effects.phenomenon of: · the increasing phenomenon of the single parent familynatural phenomenon: · A thorough understanding of mathematics is sufficient to explain a wide variety of natural phenomena.
something planned that happens something that happens that has been planned and arranged, for example a party, performance, or sports competition: · Joe's party was a splendid event - about 200 people were there.annual event (=an event that takes place every year): · The town's beer festival is an annual event.social/sporting event: · We have a full programme of social events that take place throughout the year.a golfing/media/diplomatic etc event: · The Ryder Cup is the big golfing event this month.
an important social event, ceremony, or celebration: big/important/special occasion: · She was saving four bottles of their best champagne for a special occasion.· Thanksgiving is a really big occasion in the States.celebrate the occasion: · It's our wedding anniversary next month, and we're having a party to celebrate the occasion.quite an occasion (=a very exciting or important occasion): · It was quite an occasion. All the local dignitaries were there, dressed in their finest clothes.
all the things which happen during an official meeting or discussion, especially in a court of law or in parliament: · You can sit along the back wall of the courtroom to watch the proceedings.· The chairman usually takes charge of the proceedings and decides who will speak next.
a series of bad things that happen at the same time something that happens, especially something unpleasant or shocking, that usually involves several people and several events: · The court case was an awful affair that dragged on for months.· The whole world was waiting for the outcome of the Watergate affair.· Nick Leeson had to serve a prison term in Singapore for his part in the affair.
a set of connected events which you think are unpleasant, shocking, annoying etc: · It was a nasty business. In the end, she killed herself, you know.the whole business (of something): · I don't want to argue about this any more -- I'm sick of the whole business.· The whole business of getting a visa can take a very long time.
informal things that have been happening somewhere, especially ones that surprise, annoy, or amuse you: · I could hardly believe it when he told me about the goings-on in his office.· According to Gwen, there had been some very strange goings-on in the upstairs apartment.
things that are happening at the same time in the same place involving a lot of people, all behaving in an angry, excited etc way: · Angry scenes in Parliament followed the minister's statement.· The airport was full of the usual emotional scenes, and people saying 'goodbye'.
when a lot of things happen a period of time that is eventful is one during which a lot of interesting or important things happen: · It has been an eventful week in politics, with the resignations of three Presidential advisers.· When Marilyn Monroe died the press was anxious to uncover every aspect of her eventful career.highly eventful: · The General's last two years were to prove highly eventful for him and the country.
: action-packed holiday/trip/film etc a holiday trip etc during which you do a lot of exciting things or during which a lot of exciting things happen: · We provide action-packed holidays for children including riding, sailing, rock-climbing, and canoeing.· another action-packed adventure movie starring Harrison Ford
place not at all interesting or exciting to live in: · This is such a boring town - there's nothing to do in the evenings.· It's so boring here. I wish we lived in L.A.
a town that is dead is boring because nothing interesting happens, and there is nothing interesting to do: · In summer we get a few visitors, but most of the time this place is dead.· It's absolutely dead here when all the students go away for the summer vacation.
spoken if you say nothing ever happens in a place, you mean nothing interesting or exciting happens there: · Nothing ever happens around here. Why do you like it so much?
a dreary place is one where there is nothing attractive or cheerful to see: · I was living in a dreary apartment in a run-down part of town.· Laurie gazed out over a dreary landscape of factories and parking lots.
buildings and places that are drab are not colourful or interesting to look at: · When I came to Manchester from Brazil everything seemed so drab and colourless.· You enter the drab office building half-expecting it to be abandoned.
: featureless landscape/plain/coast etc a large area of land that has no interesting or unusual features: · It was flat, featureless coastline.· In the middle of these otherwise featureless plains is a striking range of mountains.
when something happens without being planned if something happens by chance , it happens unexpectedly and seems to have no particular cause: · I met an old friend by chance on the train.· If by chance I'm not in when she calls, can you take a message?quite/purely/entirely by chance (=completely by chance): · Quite by chance, a TV crew was filming in the area when the accident happened.
if you do something by accident , you do it by chance and without intending to do it: · Fleming discovered penicillin almost by accident.· We ended up by accident on the wrong train and had to ride all the way to Montreal.· The trigger of the gun is locked so that it cannot be fired by accident.quite by accident (=completely by chance): · Lombardi heard about their plan quite by accident.
if you happen to do something , you do it by chance and not because of any particular reason or plan: · Justin forgot the map but I happened to have another one in the glove compartment.just happen to do something: · I'm sorry I didn't phone first -- I just happened to be passing and thought I'd drop in.· We're not related -- we just happen to have the same name.
use this to say that something happened by chance, when this is connected with what you have just been talking about: · This was the first time I had ever seen a panda, and as luck would have it, I had my camera with me.· As luck would have it, it rained the next day and the game was canceled.
a surprising situation in which two things happen that are similar or seem connected, but no-one planned or intended this to happen: · Hi Phil. What a coincidence -- we were just talking about you.by coincidence: · My mother is called Anna, and by coincidence my wife's mother is called Anna too.just a coincidence: · It was just a coincidence that we were in Paris at the same time.by a strange/sad/happy etc coincidence: · By a strange coincidence the king was assassinated on the very spot where his grandfather had been killed.
the way in which good or bad things seem to happen to people by chance: · There's no skill in a game like roulette, it's all luck.· Success is not a matter of chance - it takes a lot of hard work.pure luck/chance: · It was pure chance that we ran into each other on the street.leave something to chance (=let things happen by chance): · You must plan ahead. You can't leave these things to chance.
the power or force that is supposed to control the way everything happens, so that people cannot completely control their own lives: · It was fate that brought us together.· They saw themselves as victims of fate.by a twist of fate (=because fate made things happen in an unexpected way): · By a strange twist of fate the judge died on the very day that Cordell was executed.
something that happens by chance with no plan or intention: · I only met her again through a fortunate accident.· It is no accident that most of the country's outstanding public schools are in wealthy communities.
use this when you are talking about a situation that is surprising because by chance it is connected with something else that has been noticed or mentioned: · We've just seen a really beautiful house and, as it happens, it's for sale.· I needed to borrow a car, and as it happened Andrew wasn't using his.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Something terrible has happened. She carried on as if nothing had happened. This was bound to happen sooner or later. This kind of thing happens all the time. We’ll still be friends, whatever happens.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES When you are dealing with so many patients, mistakes are bound to happen. What an extraordinary thing to do! It all happened so fast I didn’t even notice I was bleeding. Reputations are not changed overnight. Then the unthinkable happened and the boat started to sink.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB
Something terrible has happened. She carried on as if nothing had happened. This was bound to happen sooner or later. This kind of thing happens all the time. We’ll still be friends, whatever happens. (also an accident occurs formal)· No one saw the accident happen.· Most road accidents occur in urban areas.
(also an attack occurs formal)· The attack took place at around 10 pm Thursday.
When you are dealing with so many patients, mistakes are bound to happen.· The three-vehicle crash happened on the corner of Ongar Road.
(=used to say that something is bad and will fail)· The government’s educational reforms are a disaster waiting to happen.
(also an earthquake occurs formal)· Scientists cannot predict when an earthquake will occur.
· The highest rates of erosion occur where soil is exposed to drought.
(also an event occurs formal)· The event took place last year.
(also evolution occurs formal)· We can see signs of evolution taking place in the world around us.
· Bad luck tends to happen when you least expect it.
· The largest explosion took place at the main post office.
What an extraordinary thing to do! It all happened so fast I didn’t even notice I was bleeding.· The incident happened as Mrs Edwards was walking her dog.
· The injury occurred five minutes into the game.
· Then the miracle happened – there was a job, and I could have it.
· We’re very careful, but mistakes can happen.
Reputations are not changed overnight.· The tragedy happened shortly before 5pm on Saturday.
Then the unthinkable happened and the boat started to sink.· This, surely, was what had actually happened to Adam Verne-Smith.· Perhaps some of these notions come close to what actually happened.· They couldn't believe it was all real - that the nightmare was actually happening to them.· What actually happened was that I was as drunk as anybody in the barracks the night all hell broke loose.· Gregory's account of what actually happened is laconic in the extreme.· Like most mythic events, the Six-Day War actually happened, but not quite the way people remember it.· She still couldn't quite believe that all this was actually happening to her.· Nevertheless, the theory works well if, using hindsight, one looks back at what has actually happened.
· He was determined never to let that mistake happen again.· This happened again, and yet a third time.· However, I really will be able to say to the magistrates that it won't happen again.· He has got to assure Congress that it will never happen again.· Once you have cured the water pollution problem, you will have to take steps to avoid it happening again.· She had gone through it once on Sorrows and was terrified of its happening again.· And then it happened again, and Kate had another twenty-four hours of the shakes.· To prevent such a thing from happening again, Dole and the others want to amend the U. S. Constitution.
· Thankfully, nothing like this has ever happened since.· Has it ever happened to you?· But Dot had thought it wouldn't ever happen to their baby.· If anything ever happened to her, she was all set.· She wrote poetry with impenetrable syntax about a life where nothing ever happened.· What was the best thing that ever happened to you?· Nothing like this had ever happened while Cedric still lived with Dorothy!· Nothing like that had ever happened before.
· Such things did not, could not happen here.· But there was no fluke, and no mistake, about what happened here Sunday.· What the hell was happening here?· A curious thing has happened here.· After what happened here on April 15, 1989, the authorities were going to make sure there was no repetition.· And the same thing could happen here.· One would like to think that it's not going to happen here.· You must come to Berlin, something better will happen here, they promised vaguely.
· Then maybe it had just happened.· It just happens to work out like that.· Matthew Spender's writing is at its best remembering the past as though it has just happened.· It just happened that Bobby filled the bill in this case.· And they just happen to be attached to a saint!· It just happens that mutations that construct organisms which reproduce more efficiently are conserved over time.· It had all seemed part of the wonder: that it should have happened just this Jubilee summer.· Perhaps some of her corrections are subjective-she just happens to like one style better than another.
· That had never happened to her in her whole life before.· But stories got told about things that never happened.· I think we were near deluding ourselves that Harry had never happened, that we'd done it all ourselves.· But after I got caught up in things at graduate school, that just never happened.· Experience has shown that this virtually never happens.· That scary scene in Gibson City was so far in the past, it sometimes felt as if it had never happened.· It's something that should never happen.· It had never happened, never would happen.
· As so often happens, the conversation becomes increasingly serious and philosophical.· When a kid sprains her hand or jams her finger, which happens often, she tries to shake it out.· It was not exactly what we were after but that is the way things often happen in our job.· But then, as so often happens in science, more research complicated the picture.· As often happens in summer, a climatic miracle occurred.· That often happens from excessive use of the same chemicals.· There had been a pair using this barn, but, as so often happens these days, they deserted their nest.· She knew the worst often happened, worse than the worst you can imagine, and so you made provisions.
· To this day, I don't know what really happened to Kay Amin's body.· The other 90 games would be played against teams from other divisions and the other league, assuming interleague play really happens.· Has the revolution of 1989 been lost already, or did it never really happen at all?· I feel kind of foolish admitting it, but it really happened in a dream.· Frasier's attempts to piece together what really happened form the backbone of the novel.· At least this is a step toward the truth, what really happened.· Now Orlando's city chiefs are terrified that the lid is coming off what really happens in the city.· There is much on what is really happening at universities.
· She couldn't imagine how she had allowed it to happen when everything within her head warned against it.· What happens when a young husband and father is suddenly unable to work because of cancer?· The best Monday shows happen when Shaun and Bez interact, and you get a real sense of their personalities.· Readers who doubt this scenario might consider what happened when the savings and loans were deregulated during the eighties.· It's clear that Fitzgerald enjoys an absolute authority, but prefers to see what happens when she reins it in.· What happens when dreams die and depression sets in?· Just what happens when you're on holiday!· What happens when she arrives in the new environment?
NOUN· The reason she is able to deal with this is because she was a wonderful person before this accident ever happened.· The accident happened because of a culture in which working practices were not checked, Whitehaven magistrates heard.· Residents living south of the proposed annexation told the Weekly that car accidents on Wilmot happen all the time.· Therefore, both over-confidence and under-confidence may play a part in creating an environment in which accidents happen more readily.· The accident happened on Interstate 84 in Manchester, about 10 miles east of Hartford, during evening rush hour.· We all know that accidents can happen to anyone, at any time.· A student helicopter pilot wallowing around in a hover in a tight clearing is an accident waiting to happen.
· This is the sort of event which happens once every 50 years on average.· In a phenomenologically complex universe, extremely improbable events are certain to happen.· Pro-active public relations is when you are helping to make a situation or event happen and are keeping ahead of things.· We might say that a probable event is one that happens in many or most possible worlds.· What mattered here was how contemporaries chose to describe the events that happened in 1688-9.· An improbable event is one that happens only in one or a few possible worlds.· When the pressure is on to respond to an event after it happens, the client will then judge your professional competence.· Carlson has infused the descriptions of the festivals with the charm of the region and the volunteers who make the event happen.
· But by then John Butcher, the man with the power to make such things happen, had left for another appointment.· But these things happen at Catalina.· He'd never do nothing himself but, you know, things might happen.· But that such things happened, and happened often, are part of the historic record.· What is the worst possible thing that could happen?· A number of things happened in the late 1990s, though, that seemed to create a new context.· But in between all these things something happens which is only spoken of in hushed whispers.· Yeah, George, same thing happened to the presidency under Richard Nixon.
· But if neither of these things happen, Labour will be forced to decide whether it is prepared to raise taxes.· When you have the courage to make a Big Promise and the will to deliver on it, good things usually happen.· I wasn't there long before things started to happen.· We participate in making things happen.· And the craziest things can happen at the last minute.· Many things were happening at once, with dizzying speed.· Struggling to his feet, he realised he was waving his sword. Things were happening too fast to keep up with.· Instinctively we knew that terrible things were going to happen in our elderly aunts peaceful living room.
VERB· Lee turned to face Philip and Philip knew immediately what was going to happen.· No matter how much he tried to put it off, he already knew that it was going to happen this week.· If you could see what is going to happen in the future, you could change it.· That is not going to happen.· Madeleine said: what's going to happen with the shrine in the woods?· But change is going to happen.· The point is, what is going to happen to these boys later.· Months went by and nothing happened.
· Who knew what would happen between then and the morning?· When the bomb was detonated down at Alamogordo, residents for hundreds of miles around knew something extraordinary had happened.· He knew what was happening in the boathouse and it was too ordinary to convert into anything exciting.· It was so smooth you hardly knew it-was happening.· To this day, I don't know what really happened to Kay Amin's body.· Magically everyone knew just what had happened.· He wanted to know what had happened.· We must know what is happening in New York.
· She dared not let it happen again.· Waldon has vowed not to let a letdown happen.· He was determined never to let that mistake happen again.· To be deprived of his place on the mission was one thing that he was not prepared to let happen.· But Cathy Freeman will not let that happen.· Only baseball could have let this happen.
· She saw at once what was happening to her and to Rose, and where it could lead them both.· They were also waiting to see what would happen.· He decided to wait and see what happened in the other rehearsals.· But no witness saw what happened.· A few nights later, I took three or four at once, to see what happened.· Quinn went on to the next day and decided to see what would happen.· I saw it happen, and I couldn't do a thing to help them.· We see this happening in networked markets.
· And now I suppose I don't even have to tell you what happened?· She called Kim, the trainer, on the phone and, in between uncontrollable sobs, told her what was happening.· Some one has to tell him what's happening here.· Even during the evacuation - more than 180,000 people were moved - most of them were not told what had happened.· Ask the students who are watching to tell what happened.· Every day the newspapers are telling you what happens to other people's children.· I told him what had happened in Bloomsbury.
· That suddenly went to being able to play conservatively and just wait and see what happened.· NEAs are accidents waiting to happen.· Mr. Haynes I shall wait to see what happens about the speed of motorway repairs.· I hop into my truck, turn the key and wait as absolutely nothing happens.· Let's wait and see what happens, Kit.· Stagnant, they waited for something to happen.· He would wait, he would wait to see what happened to Kurz.· Then I snuggled in and waited for something to happen.
· They will be wondering what has happened to you.· I often wonder what would have happened if I had not struggled so in the web.· I wondered what had happened to them all.· I sometimes nudge Miles and Evan to join me in wondering what 47 will happen next in a story.· But a man could go nuts sitting around wondering about what might happen.· I wonder what happened to the paper hymen on the toilet. l check my hair in the mirror.· Athelstan stood there dreaming, wondering what was happening in St Erconwald's.· Now lesson seven was crumpled and he would wonder how it happened.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► as it happens/it just so happensPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
1when something happens, there is an event, especially one that is not planned SYN occur: - It was a tough loss, but these things happen.
- But if neither of these things happen, Labour will be forced to decide whether it is prepared to raise taxes.
- But these things happen at Catalina.
- Every now and again you're going to get exceptional circumstances and these things happen once in a while.
- In the event none of these things happened.
- In the way these things happen, the oppressed are sometimes revealed to have a hold on the oppressors.
- Once in a while these things happen and then you can communicate better.
- Possibly you see a great number of these things happening in your school, or perhaps you see very few.
- When these things happen, death flashes before our eyes.
- But I sometimes wonder whatever happened to that little Mr Linley.
- For them, energy comes in joules, and force in newtons, but whatever happened to ergs and dynes?
- Gee, George, whatever happened to letting the people decide?
- He believed that Money Advice was here to stay, whatever happened to the economy.
- Night-thoughts ... But then whatever happened to Summerchild did happen.
- So whatever happened to Open Standards?
- Actually, no matter what happens to the business cycle, people will continue to eat and to get sick.
- Do all the fish die and what happens to the occupants of metal-hulled boats?
- If anything happens to me, just bury me at Wounded Knee.
- Suppose Holt's 6-year-old does opt out of school? What happens to her then?
- Tell the students to hold the jars and look at the items through them. What happens to the items?
- The power is cut! What happens to the cake?
- We thought of having a party on that day to watch what happens to one another.
- What are the determinants of supply? What happens to the supply curve when each of these determinants changes?
- I'm sorry I didn't phone first -- I just happened to be passing and thought I'd drop in.
- I happened to see Hannah at the store today.
- Justin forgot the map but I happened to have another one in the glove compartment.
- We're not related -- we just happen to have the same name.
- I'd be arrested, Volkov wouldn't know what had happened to me.
- It happens to all of us.
- She kneels down and gathers me to her, sobbing and shaking in her terror at what might have happened to me.
- Tell me first, what happened to the world when I was in prison.
- These bands just happened to be black and popular.
- They don't learn by experience, don't really care what happens to them.
- What happens to the structure of a potato when it is cooked? 2.
- What will happen to her during the war?
- Any animal species that happens to be superficially dull will be ignored, perhaps even maltreated.
- Ewing now happens to be the president of the players union.
- Incidentally this also happens to be the most difficult part of the instrument's compass from the point of view of fingering.
- It will move into any refuge that happens to be conveniently available.
- Start with any old folder that happens to be on your desktop.
- This junk pile just happens to be our epic.
- Well he happens to be an old flame of Mummy's.
- And if accidents happen, they happen.
- But some accidents happen because of their egocentric tendency to think of themselves as invulnerable.
- But worse is the fact that the same accidents happen time and time again.
- Everyone knows that hideous accidents happen, however precise modern weapons are supposed to be.
- Local fishermen say that, when accidents happen, the trawlers never stop.
- Therefore, both over-confidence and under-confidence may play a part in creating an environment in which accidents happen more readily.
- Where he went, accidents happened.
- Which is exactly how accidents happen.
- A student helicopter pilot wallowing around in a hover in a tight clearing is an accident waiting to happen.
- Another way of putting it would be that the dollar is an accident waiting to happen.
- Mr Stewart said that there was an accident waiting to happen and he feared lives would be lost.
- People living near the site say it was an accident waiting to happen.
- Unless, of course, it was an accident waiting to happen.
- Designed by Robert Von Hagge, it was meant to be hard.
- Imprinted with cell bars, the first Tricky Envelope was meant to be festooned with the Richard Nixon stamp.
- It was meant to be some kind of joke.
- Our protest was meant to be purely symbolic.
- Perhaps it's because none of this was meant to happen.
- She was meant to be illustrating a new book for children, a fantasy story by a well-known author.
- Technically he was meant to be in bed.
- The fit crew was meant to be Merrill Lynch.
- Each has much to offer to the other and there is no question of one tradition being right and the other wrong.
- Even if the practice overspends its funds, there is no question of patients not getting the treatment they need.
- Since there is no means of changing the weather, there is no question of protest.
- This again suggests that the boys may have been in the wrong, which there is no question of in Ballantyne.
- This particularly applies where there is no question of a divorced previous spouse.
- This phenomenon is distinct from onomatopoeia - it is sometimes called sound symbolism: there is no question of auditory resemblance.
- Yet there is no question of one's hair rising.
- Yeah, well, shit happens.
- The only thing we know for sure is that shit happens.
- What we have here is proof of the axiom that shit happens.
When did the accident happen? It’s impossible to predict what will happen next.something/nothing/anything happens Something terrible has happened. She carried on as if nothing had happened. This was bound to happen sooner or later. This kind of thing happens all the time. We’ll still be friends, whatever happens.2 something/anything/what happens to somebody/something if something happens to someone or something, they are affected by an event: He should be here by now – something must have happened to him. The same thing happened to me last year. What’s happened to your coat? It’s all ripped.3 happen to do something if you happen to do something, you do it by chance: I happened to see James in town.4somebody/something happens to be something used when telling someone something in an angry way: This happens to be my house!5as it happens/it just so happens used to tell someone something that is surprising, interesting, or useful: As it happens, I know someone who might be able to help.6 these things happen used to tell someone not to worry about a mistake they have made, an accident they have caused etc: It’s not your fault – these things happen.7whatever happened to somebody/something? used to ask where a person or thing is now: Whatever happened to Steve? I haven’t seen him for years. → accidents (will) happen at accident(5)THESAURUShappen used especially when talking about events that have not been planned: · When did the accident happen?· Something terrible has happened!take place to happen – used especially when talking about events that have been planned or that have already happened: · The conference will take place on the 16th of June.· The competition took place on Saturday 30th June.occur formal to happen – used especially when talking about events that have not been planned: · The incident occurred outside the police station at around 9 pm.there is/there are used when saying that a particular event happens: · There was an earthquake about a week ago.· There are strikes almost every year.come up to happen – used about problems, questions, or opportunities: · There aren’t any jobs at the moment, but we’ll let you know if something comes up.· This question often comes up when I’m talking to students.arise formal to happen unexpectedly – used about problems, arguments, or difficult situations: · A dispute arose about who should receive the money.· It is best to deal with the problem as soon as it arises.crop up to happen – used about problems or difficult situations, especially ones that are less serious, and can quickly be dealt with: · The banks will contact their customers if a problem crops up.strike to happen suddenly and unexpectedly – used about very bad events: · The hurricane struck at around 1 am.· Disaster struck, and he lost all movement in his legs.turn out to happen in a particular way: · Luckily, everything turned out well.· How did it all turn out?happen on/upon somebody/something phrasal verb literary or old-fashioned to find something or meet someone by chance SYN come across: I happened on the restaurant by chance.