to push one's luck - Glite Dictionary

Examples

And how long do you intend to push your luck?

xXx: Return of Xander Cage (2017)
Gotta be willing to push your luck when it's hot.

Cassandra's Dream (2007)
Don't push your luck too far.

Summertime (1955)
DARLENE: Don't push your luck, Father.

Bad Times at the El Royale (2018)
Stan the Man finally pushed his luck too far one day in Buller.

Forgotten Silver (1997)
Don't push your luck.

On the Waterfront (1954)
If you keep asking for raises, you might push your luck with your boss.
He decided to stop gambling before he pushed his luck too far.
You have already won three times; don't push your luck by betting again.

Synonyms

to tempt fate

vsto push one's luck

Informal

9 7.3

Take an unnecessary risk that might cause bad luck

risks losing existing success by asking for more than is sensible

Antonyms

to play it safe

42 3.4

Choose a careful option to avoid risks

How Risky

to tempt fate

Informal

9 7.3

to risk it for the biscuit

Slang

9.6

to push one's luck

Informal

6.8

to take a chance

91 3.3

to play it safe

42 3.4

Surface Forms

push one's luck infinitive

pushed one's luck past

pushed one's luck past participle

pushing one's luck present participle

pushes one's luck third person singular

Morphology

push + one + luck

The components 'push' (apply force), 'one's' (possessive) and 'luck' (chance) create a clear metaphorical image of exerting pressure on one's good fortune, so a learner who knows the words can infer it involves taking chances that might exceed what is safe. However, the relation is metaphorical rather than strictly compositional and the precise sense of ‘risking losing success by asking for more’ is not fully predictable without exposure, so it is only partially transparent.

Etymology

Push one's luck comes from gambling: after a period of wins, players would push their luck by betting more and sometimes lose it all. So it means 'to risk losing your success' by taking more chances.