happen by
(intransitive, dated, chiefly, US) to show up unexpectedly or accidentally.
Seen in the wild
You have to believe that a trillion dollar war debt is an example of fiscal responsibility. That level of cognitive gymnastics does not just happen by accident. It requires a deliberate disconnection from the part of…
However, fewer than 4% of all murders happen by someone utilizing a bat (baseball or cricket... not the small, flying mammals).
I really respect you sharing this so openly. That kind of growth doesn’t happen by accident, it takes a lot of work and self-awareness. This took courage to share, and it shows. I’m really glad you made it to a place…
I hope the remaining Seven Sisters will come to her aid! ... actually, I guess I can help make that happen by writing my own alma mater.
Please explain how Biden was supposed to do an end run around SCOTUS who let this happen by excusing his corruption. Please explain how only Biden and the Dems were supposed to protect the institutions while the GOP…
Definitions
(intransitive, dated, chiefly, US) to show up unexpectedly or accidentally.
“I really respect you sharing this so openly. That kind of growth doesn’t happen by accident, it takes a lot of work and self-awareness. This took courage to share, and it shows. I’m really glad you made it to a place where you can say this.”
— Bluesky· May 2026
Comments
(transitive, dated, chiefly, US) to come across, to chance upon, to find unexpectedly or accidentally.
“You have to believe that a trillion dollar war debt is an example of fiscal responsibility. That level of cognitive gymnastics does not just happen by accident. It requires a deliberate disconnection from the part of the brain that”
— Bluesky· May 2026“However, fewer than 4% of all murders happen by someone utilizing a bat (baseball or cricket... not the small, flying mammals).”
— Bluesky· May 2026“I hope the remaining Seven Sisters will come to her aid! ... actually, I guess I can help make that happen by writing my own alma mater.”
— Bluesky· May 2026“Please explain how Biden was supposed to do an end run around SCOTUS who let this happen by excusing his corruption. Please explain how only Biden and the Dems were supposed to protect the institutions while the GOP was busy burning them all down. He wasn't a superhero.”
— Bluesky· May 2026“If that were to happen by some weird circumstance and they were to do the same kind of thing that Chumbawamba did with their GM ad money I think that’s a net plus”
— Bluesky· May 2026
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