contingency
A possible future event that might happen and that you should be ready for.
A possible future event or situation, especially one that is uncertain and needs to be prepared for.
Extra money, time, or things that you keep in case a problem happens later.
An extra amount of money, time, or other resources kept in reserve to deal with possible future problems or costs.
A rule or agreement that something will happen only if another event happens first.
A condition or arrangement in which one thing will happen only if a particular event or result occurs, especially in legal or business contexts.
The idea that something happens or exists only because of certain conditions, and it did not have to be that way.
In philosophy and theory, the quality or state of being dependent on circumstances or conditions, and therefore not logically or necessarily the case.
- Base: contingency
- Plural: contingencies
allow for contingencies
1include extra for possible problems
To add extra time, money, or space in your plan because problems might happen later.
- The schedule allows for contingencies such as bad weather or equipment failure.
- You should allow for contingencies when estimating the project cost.
- We did not allow for contingencies, so even a small delay caused big issues.
build in a contingency
1include backup or reserve in a plan
To put extra time, money, or another backup part into a plan or system so it can handle problems.
- They built in a contingency to cover unexpected legal costs.
- We should build in a contingency so the project can survive a short delay.
- The design builds in a contingency in case one of the servers fails.
contingency fee
1lawyer fee paid only on success
Money you pay a lawyer only if you win the case, usually a part of the money you get.
- The firm charges a contingency fee of 30 percent of any settlement.
- She could afford a lawyer because they offered a contingency fee arrangement.
- Contingency fee agreements are common in personal injury lawsuits.
contingency fund
1money saved for possible problems
Money that you keep aside to use only if there is a problem or extra cost in the future.
- The city used its contingency fund to repair the damaged bridge.
- We keep a small contingency fund for sudden home repairs.
- The project’s contingency fund was almost completely spent by the end of the year.
contingency plan
1backup plan for possible problems
A backup plan that you prepare before, so you know what to do if a problem or emergency happens.
- Every hospital is required to have a contingency plan for power outages.
- They activated the contingency plan when the main server failed.
- Without a clear contingency plan, the team panicked during the crisis.
contingency planning
1process of planning for risks
The work of thinking about and making plans for possible future problems or emergencies.
- Effective contingency planning helped the company stay open during the pandemic.
- The workshop focused on contingency planning for natural disasters.
- Contingency planning is now a standard part of project management.
contingency table
1statistical table of combined categories
A table in statistics that shows how often different combinations of two or more groups or choices happen together.
- The researcher used a contingency table to examine the relationship between age and voting behavior.
- They entered the survey results into a contingency table before running the chi-square test.
- A simple two-by-two contingency table can show whether the treatment and outcome are related.
cover all contingencies
1prepare for every possible problem
To be ready for every possible future event or problem.
- The risk assessment is designed to cover all contingencies.
- Their emergency procedures clearly do not cover all contingencies.
- It is impossible to cover all contingencies, but we can reduce the main risks.
in any contingency
1in whatever situation happens
Used to say that something is true or should happen in whatever future situation may come.
- The agreement should protect both parties in any contingency.
- In any contingency, communication with staff must remain clear and regular.
- The system is designed to remain secure in any contingency.
on a contingency basis
1only paid if result achieved
Used to say that someone will be paid or something will happen only if a certain result is reached.
- The attorney agreed to represent her on a contingency basis.
- Consultants were hired on a contingency basis and will be paid only if costs go down.
- Many people prefer lawyers who work on a contingency basis for injury cases.
plan for every contingency
1make plans for all possibilities
To make plans so you are ready for any possible future event or problem.
- We can’t plan for every contingency, but we must try to plan for the most likely ones.
- Before the space mission, engineers tried to plan for every contingency.
- The manager expects us to plan for every contingency before we sign the contract.