# bad things come in threes

> English word · Proverb

## Definitions
1. If one unfortunate event has already occurred, a second and third are likely to occur; if two, a third should be expected.

## Etymology
Rooted in human predispositions for such cognitive biases as pareidolia and superstition.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/bad-things-come-in-threes