Synonyms

betide

American

[bih-tahyd] / bɪˈtaɪd /

verb (used with object)

betided, betiding

to happen to; come to; befall.

Woe betide the villain!

verb (used without object)

betided, betiding

to happen; come to pass.

Whatever betides, maintain your courage.

betide British

/ bɪˈtaɪd /

verb

to happen or happen to; befall (often in the phrase woe betide ( someone ))

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of betide

First recorded in 1125–75, betide is from the Middle English word betiden. See be-, tide ²

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Woe betide anyone who didn't meet Amorim's standards.

From BBC • Aug. 4, 2025

A certain life was expected for you, and woe betide you if you went outside of that.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 23, 2024

Woe betide the grounds passholder who shows up at the “wrong” entrance; you may be made to walk several blocks, though several on Monday attempted to argue with U.N. police.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 19, 2022

Time waits for no man, but if Nadal brings his A-game like their last meeting, that semi-final of 2019, then woe betide Tsitsipas.

From The Guardian • Feb. 17, 2021

Nay, nay, whatever may now betide in war, my line too is ending, even the House of the Stewards has failed.

From "The Return of the King" by J.R.R. Tolkien

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023