What is an idiom for "a supervening act that renders a course of action unnecessary"?

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Music by Eric Matyas
https://www.soundimage.org
Track title: Switch On Looping

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Chapters
00:00 What Is An Idiom For &Quot;A Supervening Act That Renders A Course Of Action Unnecessary&Quot;?
00:50 Accepted Answer Score 5
01:11 Answer 2 Score 4
01:43 Answer 3 Score 4
01:56 Answer 4 Score 3
02:11 Answer 5 Score 3
02:21 Thank you

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Full question
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Tags
#idiomrequests #proverbrequests

#avk47

ACCEPTED ANSWER

Score 5

I’m confused as to whether the phrase you are seeking should describe the lethargic inactivity, or the reprieve provided by the supervening event? – pbasdf

@pbasdf— The latter – user405662

How about saved by the bell?

ANSWER 2

Score 4

A fancy term for this is deus ex machina

... a seemingly unsolvable problem in a story is suddenly and abruptly resolved by an unexpected and unlikely occurrence Wikipedia

Also

"you got lucky"

"that was a (lucky) fluke"

"you had a lucky break"

"that was an unwarranted success"

"luck was on his side"

"he lives a charmed life"

ANSWER 3

Score 4

Person 1 to Person 2: "Well, it's OBE now."

OBE = Overcome by events.

ANSWER 4

Score 3

Person 1 to Person 2: “Person 3 got you off the hook.

Or ... “Well, guess you’re off the hook now.