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# happy accident

phrase (noun phrase: happy accident, happy accidents)

«happy accident» in the English dictionary: in the primary school — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## In the primary school

Source: Mova's pupils' dictionary. Licence: [Elamur Cosmic License](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/LICENSE/). Reviewed: the dictionary the pupils of Mova's primary school read; its examples quote the lessons and public-domain tales. Ships with Mova.

### Meaning

1. a mistake or chance event that turns out well.
2. (euphemism) a baby that was not planned but is welcome.

### In the lessons

A cheerful way to describe lucky mistakes in art, science and everyday life; also a polite family way to say a baby was unplanned. Everyday, all regions.

### Examples

- Penicillin was discovered by a happy accident.
- Spilling paint on my picture was a happy accident; it looks like a sunset now.
- My little sister was a happy accident, Mum says.
- The chocolate-chip cookie is said to have been a happy accident.
- Meeting my best friend at the wrong bus stop was a happy accident.
- Some great inventions began as happy accidents.
- The painter on TV said, "There are no mistakes, just happy accidents."
- Burning the onions turned out to be a happy accident; the soup tasted better.

### Note

Trap: «accident» usually means something bad; here it is good. About a baby, it is family talk; be polite. Plain meaning: a lucky mistake; an unplanned but welcome baby.