by a fluke

USAGE SUMMARY

"by a fluke" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an idiom that is used to describe something that happens unexpectedly or in an unexpected way. For example, "I got the job by a fluke when I bumped into the hiring manager at the park."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

Bogdan, the same goalie embarrassed by a fluke goal a week ago when a long clearance by Everton's American goalkeeper, Tim Howard, caught a swirling wind and bounced over him into the Bolton goal, was catching most things against United.

The New York Times - Sports

Consalvos's collages survive by a fluke.

The New York Times - Arts

Either by a fluke or miracle, I've been very lucky".

The Guardian - Film

His July 1944 bomb plot failed by a fluke.

The Guardian

In fact, he did go and only by a fluke of chance survived.

The New Yorker

Ms. Shaw said that by a fluke, he's had the same homeroom teacher for three years.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

At a constant temperature and pressure, the sample resistance was measured across the thickness of the sample by using a Fluke digital multimeter, which can measure resistances up to 100 MΩ.

Nanoscale Research Letters

If they are right, many children have been spared AIDS by a fluke but a fluke that could be used to develop a new weapon to attack it.In this section Starship troupers Starship enterprises Not so horny As luck would have it ReprintsClearly, something in milk disables HIV.

The Economist

Schwartzel is not by any means a fluke.

The New York Times

The view from the penthouse atop 144 North Eighth Street in Williamsburg, Brooklyn — the much-loathed "finger building" that by virtue of a fluke of timing and rezoning is far taller than its neighbors — goes on for miles.

The New York Times

Anchor, device, usually of metal, attached to a ship or boat by a cable or chain and lowered to the seabed to hold the vessel in a particular place by means of a fluke or pointed projection that digs into the sea bottom.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by a fluke" to emphasize the unexpected or unintentional nature of an event. It's best used when the surprising element is key to the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "by a fluke" too frequently in your writing. While it's a valid phrase, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Consider using synonyms like "by chance" or "accidentally" to vary your expression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by a fluke" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate how something happened. It describes the manner in which an action occurred, emphasizing its unexpected nature, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by a fluke" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to describe something that happens unexpectedly or by chance. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across various contexts. While its register is generally neutral, it's important to avoid overuse and consider synonyms like "by chance" or "accidentally" to add variety to your writing. The phrase appears frequently in news and media sources, as well as in academic and scientific contexts, highlighting its broad applicability in expressing unexpected outcomes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by chance

This is a shorter, more direct way of expressing the same idea.

accidentally

Focuses on the unintentional nature of the event.

inadvertently

Emphasizes the lack of intention or awareness.

unintentionally

Highlights that the outcome was not planned.

fortuitously

Stresses the lucky aspect of the unexpected event.

as luck would have it

Expresses the idea of a fortunate coincidence.

by a stroke of luck

Highlights the role of good fortune in the event.

incidentally

Indicates that something happened as a side effect or unplanned occurrence.

unexpectedly

Simply states that the event was not anticipated.

coincidentally

Highlights the simultaneous occurrence of events.

FAQs

How can I use "by a fluke" in a sentence?

You can use "by a fluke" to describe an event that happened unexpectedly or by chance. For example, "He got the promotion "by a fluke" after the manager suddenly resigned".

What can I say instead of "by a fluke"?

You can use alternatives like "by chance", "accidentally", or "unexpectedly" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "by chance" or "by a fluke"?

Both "by chance" and ""by a fluke"" are correct, but "by a fluke" often implies a greater degree of unexpectedness or luck involved.

What does it mean when something happens "by a fluke"?

When something happens ""by a fluke"", it means it occurred unexpectedly, due to chance or some unusual circumstance. It suggests that the outcome was not planned or intended.