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

Finally, think of the 10% in your money market fund as an insurance policy in the unlikely event that the S&P 500 stays down for more than a year.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026

Even if, in the unlikely event, the Court of Arbitration for Sport upholds this decision, I don't think anybody will ever truly consider Morocco African champions.

From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026

The best part is that earnings estimates won’t take a large hit in the unlikely event that the administration successfully scraps CVOW.

From Barron's • Nov. 26, 2025

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

On August 12, he dragged himself out of the bus to forage for berries, after posting a plea for assistance in the unlikely event that someone would stop by while he was away.

From "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer