if need be
idiom
: if something becomes necessary
You can always call me at home if need be.
We'll leave without them if need be.
Examples of if need be in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Those ground troops usually pull the hardest duty: sitting in trenches under heavy shelling and attacking enemy lines if need be.
—
David Guttenfelder Thomas Gibbons-Neff, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2024
How passengers can care for their mental health Travelers can take proactive steps to care for their mental health before a trip if need be.
—USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2024
Drivers, and players, who suffer hard hits are tested, and forced to sit out if need be.
—Greg Engle, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Tech start-ups and venture capitalists who had never thought about banking have learned some valuable lessons in terms of spreading deposits among various banks and being able to move them quickly if need be, Nivard said.
—Gerrit De Vynck, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024
And in part because Siakam is a good enough ball handler to run the point if need be, Carlisle can feel more comfortable putting more size on the floor from 2-4.
—Dustin Dopirak, The Indianapolis Star, 24 Jan. 2024
The Census Bureau has two programs giving governments opportunities to have their population totals reviewed and adjusted if need be.
—Mike Schneider, Fortune, 18 Jan. 2024
Hall recommends clearing gutters and having your roof checked if need be — the little bit of work up front might save homeowners a lot of work down the road.
—Sarah Bowman, The Indianapolis Star, 8 Jan. 2024
The tool kit comes with a convenient and highly durable carry case that features a shoulder strap, too, for easily carrying it around if need be.
—Kat De Naoum, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Jan. 2024
David Guttenfelder Thomas Gibbons-Neff, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2024
How passengers can care for their mental health Travelers can take proactive steps to care for their mental health before a trip if need be.
—USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2024
Drivers, and players, who suffer hard hits are tested, and forced to sit out if need be.
—Greg Engle, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Tech start-ups and venture capitalists who had never thought about banking have learned some valuable lessons in terms of spreading deposits among various banks and being able to move them quickly if need be, Nivard said.
—Gerrit De Vynck, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024
And in part because Siakam is a good enough ball handler to run the point if need be, Carlisle can feel more comfortable putting more size on the floor from 2-4.
—Dustin Dopirak, The Indianapolis Star, 24 Jan. 2024
The Census Bureau has two programs giving governments opportunities to have their population totals reviewed and adjusted if need be.
—Mike Schneider, Fortune, 18 Jan. 2024
Hall recommends clearing gutters and having your roof checked if need be — the little bit of work up front might save homeowners a lot of work down the road.
—Sarah Bowman, The Indianapolis Star, 8 Jan. 2024
The tool kit comes with a convenient and highly durable carry case that features a shoulder strap, too, for easily carrying it around if need be.
—Kat De Naoum, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'if need be.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near if need be
Cite this Entry
“If need be.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/if%20need%20be. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share