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be it as it may

be it as it may

7.9
Whatever is true, it does not change what happens next
  • idiom
  • Formal
translation icon : sea como sea
  • I disagree with your opinion, but be it as it may, we need to move forward.

Examples

  • He disagrees with the proposal, but be it as it may, the company will proceed.

  • The project is behind schedule; be it as it may, we still have time to catch up.

  • Be it as it may, the outcome is beyond our control.

  • Be it as it may, we have to make a decision by tomorrow.

  • Be it as it may, the deadline for the project remains unchanged.

  • Be it as it may, the weather won't stop us from having the event.

  • Be it as it may, we must adhere to the rules set forth by management.

Synonyms

all the same
vsbe it as it may
98 3.3

To say something is true despite what was just said

emphasizes proceeding regardless of circumstances rather than stating relevance
be that as it may
vsbe it as it may
  • Formal
21 7.6

Even if that is true, it does not change what happens next

is the alternative phrasing with the same meaning

Surface Forms

Morphology

be + it + as + it + may

The constituent words ('be', 'it', 'as', 'it', 'may') signal existence and possibility and thus partly hint at a concessive meaning ('even if that is so'), so a learner might infer the general sense. However, the fixed, somewhat formal/inverted phrasing and its pragmatic force of 'regardless' are not fully predictable from the parts alone, making the expression only partially transparent to a B1 learner.

Etymology

Be it as it may comes from an old way of saying 'let it be so', where be means 'let it be' and it means the fact being talked about. So be it as it may is used to say something 'may be true' but it does not change what comes next.