on purpose
Idioms-
Deliberately, intentionally, as in He left the photo out of the story on purpose . Shakespeare's use of this idiom was among the earliest; it appears in The Comedy of Errors (4:3): “On purpose shut the doors against his way.”
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accidentally on purpose . Seemingly accidentally but actually deliberately, as in She stepped on his foot accidentally on purpose . This generally jocular phrase was first recorded in 1862.
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.
The book ends with a trial to determine whether she did so on purpose.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026
Some regions have significantly increased residential development in wildlands, creating a dangerous combination of flammable plants, vulnerable homes and residents capable of sparking fires — on purpose or by accident.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 1, 2026
"Somebody has done that. You don't type up a letter with someone's address on it, address it to the trust and send it. I feel like it was done on purpose," she said.
From BBC ● Jul. 18, 2026
A good plan uses that shape on purpose.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 16, 2026
Any other time, maybe, but I was not going to face Gregor on purpose anytime soon.
From "Keep It Together, Keiko Carter" by Debbi Michiko Florence
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
