The phrase 'let the chips fall where they may' is a common figurative saying in the English language. The expression can be used to mean that something will happen as it will happen – the same as 'c'est la vie' or 'such is life'. This post unpacks its meaning and origin.
Meaning
The phrase 'let the chips fall where they may' is a common saying in the English language, usually used as a figurative saying even though its origins are literal.
When someone says 'let the chips fall where they may' the phrase implies the same as to say 'such is life' or 'c'est la vie'.
The phrase 'let the chips fall where they may' can be used to imply that a situation is best left to fate, or that there is no way to influence the outcome of the implied thing or situation.
The situation to which the phrase is applied is usually implied by the rest of the discussion.
'Let the chips fall where they may' is almost never said in the negative form as it would not render a valid expression with any meaning.
The phrase implies that something is going to happen and that nothing can be (or should be) done about it.
Sometimes the phrase is assumed to come from gambling where casino chips are often 'placed' to make a bet.
Example Usage
“Look, I'm not going to make any predictions about their divorce. I'm just going to take one of them to court tomorrow, and let the chips fall where they may.”
“Let the chips fall where they may, I'm not going to discuss how tomorrow's football game is going to go forward before it's over.”
“Let's just go to Vegas with our parents' money and spend some of it. Let the chips fall where they may, we'll just worry about everything else when we go back home.”
“This movie is either going to be great or terrible. I've paid to see it already, so let the chips fall where they may.”
Origin
The origin of the phrase 'let the chips fall where they may' is given by most online language resources as the 1700s to 1800s, where the phrase is assumed to come from the practice of chipping wood.
While the meaning of the phrase is figurative, it originated from literal 'wood chips' which would fly about the place with no control from the person doing it.
An alternate given origin for the saying 'let the chips fall where they may' is that the phrase comes from gambling, where chips are placed to set a bet.
By the 1900s, the phrase was in much more common and popular use in the English language.
Figurative use of the saying would continue into the 21st century, where the phrase had little to no change in meaning.
The website Urban Dictionary records the phrase from 2005.
Phrases Similar to Let the Chips Fall Where They May
- C'est la vie
- Such is life
Phrases Opposite to Let the Chips Fall Where They May
- N/a
What is the Correct Saying?
- Let the chips fall where they may
- Let the chips fall where they might
Ways People May Say Let the Chips Fall Where They May Incorrectly
There are several ways in which someone can use the phrase 'let the chips fall where they may' in the wrong way, or misunderstand the meaning of the phrase.
The phrase can be used incorrectly as 'let the chip fall where they may', which does not give a valid figurative phrase with the same meaning.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase Let the Chips Fall Where They May
There are several ways in which someone can use the phrase 'let the chips fall where they may', usually to mean that a situation cannot (or should not) be changed by anyone's influence.
Someone can use the expression as 'may' or 'might' and both could be valid.