in the unlikely event

Idioms  

1. If something improbable should occur. For example, In the unlikely event that I'm held up, please cover for me, or In the unlikely event that we should have snow in May, we're still well equipped to cope with it. Also see under in case, def. 2.

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Example Sentences

That means that even in the unlikely event that legislation limiting the rates that credit-card companies can charge become law, the pair wouldn’t be directly affected.

From Barron's • Jan. 13, 2026

It is too far away from Earth and there are too many uncertainties at this stage to determine where a potential impact could occur in the unlikely event of a collision.

From BBC • Feb. 3, 2025

They could also be a fit for someone like Toronto star Bo Bichette, but only in the unlikely event that the Blue Jays opt for a midseason fire sale.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 11, 2024

Identification of the leak led to the discovery of a “design vulnerability” in Starliner’s propulsion system in the unlikely event of a string of failures, said Steve Stich, NASA’s commercial crew program manager.

From Seattle Times • May 24, 2024

His money came too hard to risk it on a hand of cards, even in the unlikely event that it was honestly dealt.

From "The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics" by Daniel James Brown