intervene
Get involved to change a situation
To step into a situation and try to change what is happening, usually to stop something bad or to help solve a problem.
to intervene in [something]
- The teacher had to intervene when the argument between the students became heated.
- Human rights groups are urging the international community to intervene in the crisis.
- Neighbors intervened to separate the two men before a fight broke out.
- The company refused to intervene in the dispute between the manager and his team.
- If parents fail to intervene early, the child's behavior may get worse.
- The police intervened before anyone was hurt.
- My sister tried to intervene when we started to shout at each other.
- The doctor intervened quickly and saved the patient's life.
- Sometimes it is better not to intervene in other people's problems.
- The government decided to intervene in the strike talks.
Unexpected events change or disrupt plans
When something happens and it changes or stops what you planned to do.
to intervene and [verb]
- I was going to visit you last weekend, but work intervened.
- Several crises intervened and delayed the project for months.
- Their relationship might have survived if illness had not intervened.
- We meant to launch in May, yet a series of technical problems intervened.
- Nothing intervened, and the ceremony went ahead smoothly.
- I wanted to call you, but something intervened.
- He planned to study abroad, but money problems intervened.
- The match was going well until heavy rain intervened.
- We were ready to leave, but an emergency intervened.
- If nothing intervenes, we will finish on time.
Be physically between two things
To be in the space that is between two things or places.
to intervene between [things]
- A narrow alley intervened between the two houses.
- Only a thin curtain intervened between the patient and the busy corridor.
- A deep ravine intervened, making a direct route impossible.
- Tall hedges intervened, blocking our view of the road.
- Nothing intervened between the cliff edge and the sea below.
- A small garden intervened between the road and the house.
- A glass wall intervened between us and the animals in the zoo.
- Several tall trees intervened, so we could not see the lake clearly.
- Only a thin fence intervened between the children and the river.
- No other buildings intervened between the hotel and the beach.
Time or events occur between other events
To happen or pass in the time between two events.
to intervene between [events]
- Nearly twenty years intervened between their first meeting and their next conversation.
- Several months intervened before the government responded to the report.
- Only a few minutes intervened between the two explosions.
- Much had intervened in the decade since they last saw each other.
- Three generations intervened between the founder and the current owner.
- Ten years intervened between his first book and his second book.
- Only a short time intervened between the accident and the rescue.
- Many things intervened in the years before they met again.
- Several weeks intervened before she got a reply.
- A long period intervened between the two wars.
Join an existing legal case
In legal cases, to officially join a case that has already started.
to intervene in [a case/proceeding]
- The environmental group asked to intervene in the lawsuit against the oil company.
- The court denied the company's request to intervene in the antitrust proceedings.
- Several states intervened in the case, arguing that the law was unconstitutional.
- The judge ruled that the organization had no standing to intervene.
- The union filed a motion to intervene on behalf of the workers.
- The charity wanted to intervene in the court case.
- A third company tried to intervene in the legal dispute.
- The judge did not allow the group to intervene.
- Three cities intervened in the case about air pollution.
- Her lawyer said they might intervene in another case.
- 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.