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Glite Dictionary
to let the chips fall where they may

to let the chips fall where they may

6 7.8
To accept what happens and not try to change the result
  • idiom
  • Informal
translation icon : dejar que las cosas sigan su curso
  • For Bell, the point of his work is to get it out there and let the chips fall where they may.
  • let the chips fall where they may

And as they have a say in Vegas, let the chips fall where they may.

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Examples

  • We need to just leave that whole area and let the chips fall where they may.

    Blog text (27)

  • I'm just gonna have to take the case seriously and let the chips fall where they may.

    Baby Bulldog (2020)

  • The other way is to let the chips fall where they may.

    White Hunter, Black Heart (1990)

  • So now tell me, and just let the chips fall where they may.

    Air America (1990)

  • Just let the chips fall where they may.

    She's the Man (2006)

  • Reveal everything there is to know about yourself and let the chips fall where they may.

    Meet Joe Black (1998)

  • Let the chips fall where they may, if you pardon the expression.

    Academic text (2000)

  • In short, lead testing should be mandatory for every home sale, and let the chips fall where they may.

    Blog text (24)

  • Remove all subsidies and let the chips fall where they may.

    Blog text (24)

  • In situations like this, I prefer to let the chips fall where they may.

Synonyms

to let it be
vsto let the chips fall where they may
33 4.1

Accept a situation without trying to change it

accepts events and consequences without trying to influence their outcome
to take as it comes
vsto let the chips fall where they may
  • Informal
6 5.0

Accept what happens calmly and do not worry

accepts outcomes without trying to control or influence them
to let it ride
vsto let the chips fall where they may
7.0

Allow a situation to continue without changing it

accepts events happening naturally and their consequences
to cross that bridge when it comes
vsto let the chips fall where they may
  • Informal
5.8

To deal with a problem only when it happens, not before

chooses to face events now and accept whatever follows

Antonyms

to interfere
487 3.5

To get involved in a situation and make things not work as they should

How Trusting

to let the chips fall where they may
  • Informal
6 7.8
to accept
∞ 3.5
to let go
381 3.7
to stay in control
  • US
264 3.7

Surface Forms

let the chips fall where they may infinitive
letting the chips fall where they may present participle
lets the chips fall where they may third person singular
let the chips fell where they may past
let the chips fallen where they may past participle

Morphology

let + the + chips + fall + where + they + may

Although the surface words literally mean allowing small objects (chips) to fall wherever they will, the phrase uses a culturally specific metaphor (chips as stakes/outcomes) so its intended sense of ‘accept whatever consequences happen’ is not predictable from the constituents. A B1 learner who only knows the literal meanings is unlikely to infer this idiomatic extension without prior exposure, so the expression is not transparently compositional.

Etymology

Let the chips fall where they may may come from gambling: imagine chips scattering on a table as they fall, and you cannot control where they land. So, it means 'to accept what happens' and not try to change the result.