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REFERENCE

murphy

n. uncountable
C1 Advanced US //ˈmɝfi// UK //mˈɜːfi// mur·phy Slang

n. a name used to describe the idea that if something can go wrong, it will. You usually say it when a small problem happens at the worst possible time.

n. a reference to Murphy's Law, the cynical principle that anything that can go wrong will go wrong. Often used as a personification of bad luck or inevitable technical failure in informal contexts.


SIMPLE

I forgot my umbrella and then it rained; that is just Murphy.

CONTEXTUAL

We tested the presentation five times, but Murphy showed up and the projector broke during the meeting.

COMPLEX

Engineers often design systems with significant redundancy to account for Murphy, ensuring that a single point of failure does not result in a total collapse of the infrastructure.

Synonyms
Origin

From Irish Ó Murchadha (“descendant of Murrough”), Mac Murchaidh (“Son of Murrough”), etc. See Muircath.

Usage

Usually functions as a proper noun or a personification of bad luck; frequently appears in the phrase 'Murphy's Law'.

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