in the event of (something)

if something should happen.

In the event of war, we have to be prepared to send in troops.

Travel insurance protects you in the event that you have to cancel your trip.

Usage notes: sometimes used in the form in the unlikely event - if something should happen that you do not expect to happen:

In the unlikely event of a fire, alarms will sound and you should exit immediately.

Related vocabulary: in case of something

• try on for size
• try on something
• try out
• try out for
• try out for something
• try out on
• try out on someone
• try something for size
• try something on for size
• try something out on
• try something out on someone
• try the patience of
• try the patience of someone
• try wings
• try your hand at
• try your hand at something
• try your luck
• try your wings
• tub-thumping
• tucked away
• tuck in
• tuck in someone
• tug at heartstrings
• tug at your heartstrings
• tuned in