in the wrong place at the wrong time

in the wrong place at the wrong time

Physically present somewhere when something bad or problematic happens. The phrase is often used to indicate that the trouble that one encountered was not their fault but rather due to unfortunate circumstances. There are a lot of conspiracy theories about why he was targeted, but I think he just found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time. I happened to be walking through right when the protest started. Talk about being in the wrong place the wrong time.
See also: place, time, wrong
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

in the wrong place at the wrong time

in the location where something bad is to happen exactly when it happens. I always get into trouble. I'm just in the wrong place at the wrong time. It isn't my fault. I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
See also: place, time, wrong
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • better left unsaid
  • a fine how do you do
  • a cloud on the horizon
  • mix (one) up in (something)
  • mix up in
  • mixe
  • mixed up in
  • (be) careful what you wish for(, (because) you just might get it)
  • pull the carpet (out) from under (one's) feet
  • pull the carpet/rug out from under somebody's feet
References in periodicals archive
We had made a good start but it was a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time."
Oliphant on back foot as hopes suffer in qualifying; MOTORSPORT
Bringing with it a more fluid and fast-paced playing style, he was simply the wrong man in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Return to rugby league is no failure as Lee Smith leaves Newcastle Falcons; As he returns to rugby league for the second time, Lee Smith was simply the wrong man in the wrong place at the wrong time for Newcastle Falcons
Mr Bravo said Ryan, 18, had been studying to become an accountant and was simply "in the wrong place at the wrong time".
Shot teen's dad makes tearful trip; STREET CRIME 2
Often it boiled down to being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Up the river
If so, it's possible that your rebounding woes stem from being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Mark that spot! Win the battle of the boards
But the power industry is currently working on ways to help reduce the likelihood that small events, like a tree being in the wrong place at the wrong time, grow into massive blackouts.
Blackout 2004? If you were spared last summer's massive power failure, you may not be so lucky next time