happen to
phrasal verb
happened to; happening to; happens to
: to affect or involve (someone or something) as the result of an event or action
An odd thing happened to me on my way to the office last week.
I wonder what/whatever happened to that guy after he lost his job.
especially
: to affect (someone or something) in a bad or harmful way
I promise nothing will happen to you.
What happened to the car? There's a big scratch on the fender.
Examples of happen to in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Here, The Athletic looks at what happens to the 99 per cent who do not ‘make it’, and how they are treated by the industry.
—
Colin Millar, New York Times, 27 June 2025
But the facilities plan leaves neighborhoods with the question of what happens to the school buildings that are slated for closure.
—Silas Allen, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 June 2025
All Nippon’s business formula also focuses on providing high-quality service to cover the high costs of operating to and from the largest city in the world, Tokyo, which also happens to be a very high cost market that is a long distance from nearly all other major world cities.
—Dan Reed, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
When Chantel has to run to the beauty supply store for more hair, Syd entertains—and, of course, tenderly cooks a meal for—her 10-year-old daughter, TJ (Arion King), who happens to be navigating a painful transition of her own.
—Judy Berman, Time, 26 June 2025
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Colin Millar, New York Times, 27 June 2025
But the facilities plan leaves neighborhoods with the question of what happens to the school buildings that are slated for closure.
—Silas Allen, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 June 2025
All Nippon’s business formula also focuses on providing high-quality service to cover the high costs of operating to and from the largest city in the world, Tokyo, which also happens to be a very high cost market that is a long distance from nearly all other major world cities.
—Dan Reed, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
When Chantel has to run to the beauty supply store for more hair, Syd entertains—and, of course, tenderly cooks a meal for—her 10-year-old daughter, TJ (Arion King), who happens to be navigating a painful transition of her own.
—Judy Berman, Time, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for happen to
Cite this Entry
“Happen to.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/happen%20to. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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