hap ‧ pen S1 W1 /ˈhæpən/ BrE AmE verb [intransitive]
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Origin: hap ( ⇨ ↑ happy ) ]
1 . when something happens, there is an event, especially one that is not planned SYN occur :
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.
4 . somebody/something happens to be something used when telling someone something in an angry way:
This happens to be my house!
5 . as 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.
7 . whatever 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)
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ happen 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.