accidentally on purpose

• accidentally-on-purpose

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accidentally on purpose (not comparable)

1. Deliberately, though apparently accidentally.
   • 1860, Cornwall Simeon, Stray Notes on Fishing and Natural History, page 159:

     However, having accidentally-on-purpose got hold of a piece of the fish, down it went; and, apparently thinking that under the circumstances he might do worse, he set to work with no ill-will or appetite, and soon got through a good part of a haddock.

   • 1937, Dorothy L. Sayers, Busman's Honeymoon:

     What do you suppose she meant when she said, what had she done? Eh? Maybe it come to her then as she might have left them keys about, accidental on purpose.

   • 2003, The Continuum Encyclopedia of American Literature, edited by Steven R. Serafin and Alfred Bendixen, page 512 (entry "Hemingway"):

     When a buffalo charges at her husband, Margot, directly in back of him and standing up in Wilson's open car, fires toward the buffalo and kills Francis — whether accidentally, on purpose, or accidentally on purpose, H. leaves ambiguous.

   • 2008, Karen White, The House on Tradd Street:

     “Or maybe,” Jack added, “her mother accidentally on purpose lost it.”

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