by chance

Definitions

1. Unexpectedly, accidentally; without foreplanning.
2. Possibly; perhaps.

Equivalents

Examples

“I stumbled across the exit by chance.”

“[...] Yojo had told him two or three times over, and strongly insisted upon it everyway, that instead of our going together among the whaling-fleet in harbor, and in concert selecting our craft; instead of this, I say⟳, Yojo earnestly enjoined that the selection of the ship should rest⟳ wholly with me, inasmuch as Yojo purposed befriending us; and, in order⟳ to do so, had already pitched upon a vessel, which, if left to myself, I, Ishmael, should infallibly light⟳ upon, for all the world as though it had turned out by chance; and in that vessel I must immediately ship myself, for the present⟳ irrespective of Queequeg.”

“Are you by chance looking for the exit?”

“If by chance you notice⟳ the fine, almost sweet maltiness of the aroma, and the brisk, dry, mineral quality of the flavors, even better.”

CEFR level