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Synonyms

betide

American  
[bih-tahyd] / bɪˈtaɪd /

verb (used with object)

betided, betiding

  1. to happen to; come to; befall.

    Woe betide the villain!

verb (used without object)

betided, betiding

  1. to happen; come to pass.

    Whatever betides, maintain your courage.
betide British  
/ bɪˈtaɪd /

verb

  1. to happen or happen to; befall (often in the phrase woe betide ( someone ))

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of betide

First recorded in 1125–75, betide is from the Middle English word betiden. See be-, tide 2

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Woe betide anyone who didn't meet Amorim's standards.

From BBC • Aug. 4, 2025

A certain life was expected for you, and woe betide you if you went outside of that.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 23, 2024

But woe betide anyone who tried to give her out-of-season berries.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 21, 2022

“Woe betide those who clapped him as a saint.”

From Washington Post • Aug. 20, 2019

Etymologically, “invective” is a cavalry charge, and when Cicero hit a gallop, woe betide whoever was in the way.

From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.