Meaning: This idiom means to do something intentionally or deliberately, rather than by accident.
Usage in Example Sentences:
- “I didn’t spill the milk by accident; I did it on purpose.”
- “She missed the meeting on purpose to avoid the tough conversation.”
- “He moved the chair on purpose to block the door.”
Origin: The phrase “on purpose” has been in use since the late 16th century, originating from the word “purpose,” which means intention or objective. The preposition “on” is used to indicate alignment with an intention, hence “on purpose” emphasizes that an action was done with deliberate intent, rather than by mistake.
