accidentalist
/ˌaksɪˈdɛnt(ə)lɪst/noun
A person who believes that events occur (either generally, or in a particular context) as a result of chance or contingency rather than viewing them as preordained or attributable to a single definite cause.
adjective
Designating a theory or belief that events occur as the result of chance or contingency; of or relating to such a theory or belief.
Origin
Early 19th century; earliest use found in Morning Watch. From accidental + -ist.
- the big (or bigger or larger) picture
- the big screen
- the Big Smoke
- the big stick
- the Big Three (or Four etc.)
- the bird has flown
- the birds and the bees
- the biter bitten (or bit)
- the Blessed Sacrament
- the Blitz
- the bloom is off the rose
- the Boat Race
- the body beautiful
- the Book of Psalms
- the Books of the Maccabees
- the boot (or shoe) is on the other foot
- the Border
- the Borders
- the bottom falls (or drops) out
- the Bourse
- the boy (or girl) next door
- the brass ring
- the bread of life
- the breath of life
- the buck stops here (or with someone)