by default

by default

1. Used to describe an outcome that happens because nothing has been done to change or prevent it. If you don't start saving money now, while you're young, you'll be working till you're 90 by default.
2. By forfeit. Used to describe a contest whose outcome is determined by a competitor's absence. If the other team can't field enough players, then we'll win by default.
See also: by, default
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

by deˈfault


1 a game or competition can be won by default if there are no other competitors: The other team didn’t even turn up, so we won by default.
2 if something happens by default, it happens because you have not made any other decision or choices which would make things happen differently: It was never my ambition to get into teaching. I became a teacher more by default than by choice.
See also: by, default
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • default
  • save for
  • save for (someone or something)
  • would that
  • throw good money after bad
  • throw good money after bad, to
  • save toward
  • save toward (something)
  • foolish
  • be penny-wise and dollar-foolish
References in periodicals archive
Failure to act timely generally will result in selection of the life-expectancy recalculation method by default.
Planning for individual retirement accounts
The technology integrates seamlessly to a servicer's core servicing system, enhancing it with easy-to-use tools to proactively address the complex changes presented by defaulted loans.
DRI default-servicing software adds four new modules
This might create a misleading picture relative to actual losses suffered by bond holders since approximately one third of all exchanges are eventually followed by defaults (Asquith et al., 1989).
Original-issue systematic and default risk pricing efficiency of speculative-grade bonds
The original group of bonds was therefore reduced by calls, sinking funds, and maturation, as well as by defaults and exchanges.
Revisiting the high-yield bond market