on purpose

1. Deliberately, intentionally, as in He left the photo out of the story on purpose . Shakespeare's use of this idiom was among the earliest; it appears in The Comedy of Errors (4:3): “On purpose shut the doors against his way.”

2. accidentally on purpose . Seemingly accidentally but actually deliberately, as in She stepped on his foot accidentally on purpose . This generally jocular phrase was first recorded in 1862.

Example Sentences

The fact that these goofs hold managerial positions is proof that the structures designed to aid the vulnerable aren’t working as they should, and on purpose.

From Salon

I would never intend to tackle somebody like this on purpose.

From BBC

A total of 63 "primary" fires were started on purpose in the past year at the prison and of those, 47 had been attended by the fire service.

From BBC

In the signing offices next to the shop, Rashford put pen to paper next to all of them but they left him on his own on purpose.

From BBC

I get up at 6, 6:30, and not on purpose.

From Los Angeles Times