intervene
To step into a situation and try to change what is happening, usually to stop something bad or to help solve a problem.
To become involved in a situation, especially a difficult or violent one, in order to influence what happens or to stop something bad.
When something happens and it changes or stops what you planned to do.
Of events or conditions: to occur in a way that changes, delays, or prevents something that was planned or in progress.
To be in the space that is between two things or places.
To lie or be situated between two objects or places.
To happen or pass in the time between two events.
To occur or pass between two points in time or two events.
In legal cases, to officially join a case that has already started.
In law, to become a party to a legal case that is already in progress, usually with the court's permission.
- Base: intervene
- 3rd Person Singular: intervenes
- Present Participle: intervening
- Past: intervened
events intervened
4Unexpected events stopped the plan
Used to say that something happened which changed or stopped what you planned to do.
- I meant to finish the report last week, but events intervened.
- We had planned a quiet holiday, yet events intervened and we spent most of it working.
intervene between the two sides
2Come between two opposing groups
To get involved between two people or groups who are in conflict, in order to change what is happening.
- The United Nations offered to intervene between the two sides to help reach a peace deal.
- A senior manager intervened between the two sides before the argument became more serious.
intervene in a dispute
1Get involved in a disagreement
To step into an argument or fight and try to change or stop it.
- Managers should only intervene in a dispute between employees as a last resort.
- The police were called to intervene in a dispute outside the nightclub.
intervene in the market
5Government acts in the economy
When a government or central bank takes action to change what is happening in the economy or in financial markets.
- The central bank intervened in the market to prevent the currency from falling further.
- Some economists argue that the government should not intervene in the market at all.
intervene on someone's behalf
3Act to help someone in a situation
To get involved in a situation in order to support or protect a particular person.
- Her lawyer intervened on her behalf during the negotiations.
- Several colleagues intervened on his behalf and asked the boss to give him another chance.