happy accident

happy accident

A mistake or unplanned event that results in a beneficial outcome or pleasant surprise. The creation of penicillin was a happy accident that resulted from Alexander Fleming's discovery of mold growing in his agar plates.
See also: accident, happy
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • be in for a treat
  • action
  • pot luck
  • calculated risk
  • bless (one's) (lucky) star(s)
  • Bless lucky star
  • bless my stars
  • celebrate
  • celebrate (one) for (something)
  • one thing leads to another
References in classic literature
Thanks to the happy accident of my position, the one certain way of protecting her lay easily within my reach.
The Two Destinies
This happy accident was not to be undone even by me, and, as nothing succeeds like success, and the constant encouragement of the one great cricketer on the field was in itself an immense stimulus, I actually made a run or two in my very next innings.
The Amateur Cracksman
The weather was chilly (oh rare and happy accident!), and a fire was blazing upon the hearth.
Gold Bug
"Thou sayest well, Sancho," said Don Quixote, "but remember all times are not alike nor do they always run the same way; and these things the vulgar commonly call omens, which are not based upon any natural reason, will by him who is wise be esteemed and reckoned happy accidents merely.
Don Quixote
For this gentleman, when his fortunes changed, had stood at the great advantage of being already prepared for the highest associates, and having little to learn: so much was he indebted to the happy accidents which had made him acquainted with horse-dealing and billiard-marking.
Little Dorrit
"Yes, you read that correctly, waterCOOLER, the result of a happy accident made on a restaurant reservation.
Attend cultural center reception for The Watercooler Sisters exhibit
The trailblazer of the podcast generation called it a "happy accident" on Digital Sport in 2017.
Clem's a natural when it comes to speaking on behalf of the Boro fans
It was a happy accident to have the Showcase take the shape it did this year, as we'd long ago slotted a special report on pediatric design in this issue.
YOUNG AT HEART: All signs point to an industry deeply engaged in improving pediatric healthcare environments
By happy accident or cynical design, there are echoes of another fantastical saga during the picture's rousing climax - specifically, the thrilling Death Star trench run from A New Hope.
also showing
Yet, this bipartisanship was largely a happy accident caused by NCLB and Race to the Top.
The happy (and not so happy) accidents of Bush-Obama school reform: a postmortem of the Bush-Obama school reforms reveals just how little went according to plan
One other happy accident of the research: The alloy seems to create its own lubrication.
Diamonds, Sapphires and This Alloy
Kagere's strike in the 10th minute was a happy accident, as he blindly tapped the ball with the side of his foot in an attempt to lay it properly for Ivorian Ephrem Guikan, but it deflected into the net much to his joyful surprise.
Sofapaka rally to hold Gor in six-goal thriller
As Myers tells it, his career as a chef was a happy accident. His main goal was to develop a career that allowed him to travel.
David Myers' Middle Eastern empire
More than five years later it was found by Aurel Stein, a happy accident indicating that there used to be far fewer people tramping around the world's remoter regions.
THE GREAT EXPLORERS and Their Journeys of Discovery
It was a happy accident, Meg Glasgow says of the trans-Atlantic relocation that landed her in an apprenticeship that eventually bloomed to a thriving business.
Meg Glasgow, president, Finer Frames