let the chips fall where they may

Idioms

No matter what the consequences, as in I'm going to tell the truth about what happened, and let the chips fall where they may. This metaphoric term alludes to chopping wood and is usually joined to a statement that one should do what is right (that is, the woodcutter should pay attention to the main task of cutting logs and not worry about small chips). [Late 1800s]

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.

"I've said before, you do the right thing and you let the chips fall where they may," Mr Johnson said.

From BBC • Apr. 20, 2024

Even if everything they say is true, a responsible prosecutor would have immediately informed the court about the romance and let the chips fall where they may.

From Slate • Feb. 15, 2024

“So, it’s unfortunate we have to do that, but we are going to put aside $1 million and let the chips fall where they may on that.”

From Washington Times • Dec. 5, 2023

"I go and lay it out there, and let the chips fall where they may," she said.

From Reuters • Sep. 8, 2023

His pet motto, "Hew to the line, let the chips fall where they may," had clung in her brain as something immensely characteristic.

From Jennie Gerhardt A Novel by Dreiser, Theodore

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