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what happens twice happens thrice

idiom
Meaning

An event that happens two times will happen three times.


Origin

disputed origin

Calque of Japanese 二度ある事は三度ある (“A thing that happens two times will happen three times”)

Examples
SIMPLE

I lost my keys again, and what happens twice happens thrice.

CONTEXTUAL

After the computer crashed for the second time this morning, I knew it would crash again because what happens twice happens thrice.

COMPLEX

The historian noted that the empire had suffered two major invasions, and given that what happens twice happens thrice, he feared a third attack was imminent.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    ain't what it used to was

    Is not what it used to be; (expressing nostalgia).

  2. 02

    as it happens

    By coincidence, incidentally.

  3. 03

    come what may

    In spite of anything that might happen; whatever may occur.

  4. 04

    do exactly what it says on the tin

    To do what is described or what one would expect, with no further explanation needed.

  5. 05

    do what

    An intensified version of what? or huh?, expressing surprise or lack of comprehension

  6. 06

    get what one asked for

    Synonym of get what's coming to one.

  7. 07

    give someone what-for

    To admonish or berate; to speak angrily at somebody.

  8. 08

    give what for

    To scold; to punish, especially verbally.

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