verb

betide

bih-TYD

verb

To happen to someone or something; to befall, especially in warnings or predictions.

"Woe betide anyone who crosses her."

How to Use Betide

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAn old-fashioned word for "happen to" or "befall," almost always seen today in the fixed phrase "woe betide."

When to use it

Archaic outside the set phrase "woe betide."

Common pairings

woe betide

Word Forms

betid past tense, betided past tense, betide plural, betided plural, betid plural, betides singular, betide singular, betided singular, betid singular, betidest singular, betideth singular, betidedst singular

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Woe _____ anyone who crosses her.

Etymology

From Middle English, built from "be-" plus an old verb "tide," meaning "to happen" — related to the noun "tide" in the sense of time or season.

Rhymes for betide

ide tide hide ride wide side bide aide FIDE abide slide bride

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