betide
/bi'taid/
Definition
- Verb (intransitive):
- To happen; to occur; to take place: Used to describe an event coming to pass, often with a sense of fate or inevitability.
- To become of; to befall: Used to inquire about or describe what happens to someone or something, especially their fate or outcome.
Usage
- Betide is a formal, literary, and somewhat archaic verb. It is most commonly used in the third person (e.g., ) or in set phrases like "whatever may betide." It often carries a portentous or ominous tone, suggesting that the event is significant, often negative, and destined to happen.
Examples
- Verb:
- Woe betide anyone who disturbs the king's sleep. (A serious misfortune will happen to anyone who wakes the king.)
- Whatever may betide, we must remain courageous. (No matter what happens, we must stay brave.)
- He wondered what would betide his family after his departure. (He wondered what would become of his family after he left.)
Advanced Usage
- "Woe betide (someone)": A fixed, formulaic expression used as a warning or prophecy that misfortune will befall a person.
- Woe betide the student who forgets to do the homework.
- "Whatever may betide" / "Whatever betides": A phrase meaning "no matter what happens."
- We are prepared for the journey, whatever may betide.
Variants and Related Words
- Betid (archaic past tense and past participle): Happened.
- No ill betid them on their voyage. (No harm happened to them on their voyage.)
- Befall (verb): To happen to someone, typically something bad. A close synonym.
- A great tragedy befell the city.
Synonyms
- Befall: To happen, especially something unfortunate.
- Occur: To happen; to take place.
- Transpire: To occur; to happen (formal).
- Come to pass: To happen (literary).
Phrasal Verbs
(This word does not commonly form phrasal verbs.)
Related Idioms
- Woe betide (someone): A warning that someone will be in serious trouble if they do a particular thing.
- Woe betide you if you're late again!
Verb
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become of; happen to
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He promised that no harm would befall her
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What has become of my children?
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