to tempt fate
9
7.3
- phrasal verb
- Informal
:
tentar a la suerte
- You shouldn't tempt fate by driving without a seatbelt.
- want to tempt fate
- dare to tempt fate
- let's tempt fate
Examples
-
I guess I figured I'd better not tempt fate.
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"Now is not the time to tempt fate."
Blog text (25) -
I just think you are tempting fate with that.
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We cannot keep tempting fate like this.
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Why do you tempt fate?
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Do not tempt fate twice, William.
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I hope I'm not tempting fate.
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I think we are tempting fate, this is true.
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Never tempt fate, brother Jarrod.
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Don't tempt fate.
Synonyms
91
3.3
To do something risky hoping for a good result
64
4.0
To take a risk hoping for a good result
56
3.2
Do things that might be dangerous to get something important
36
3.8
Do something risky hoping to do well
22
5.8
To take a big risk that can cause harm
7
7.3
Do something without worrying about the risks
7
4.2
To do something risky hoping to get a good result
2
3.0
To do something that might lead to harm or loss
1
8.5
To try something risky when the result is not certain
To risk losing success by asking for more than is wise
Antonyms
How Risky
- Informal
12
4.8
- Informal
9
7.3
56
3.2
91
3.3
42
3.4
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase combines 'tempt' (to entice or provoke) with 'fate' (destiny), so the idea of provoking or challenging destiny is fairly inferable from the parts. However, the specific idiomatic sense — taking unnecessary risks that may bring bad luck — is a metaphorical extension and not fully predictable for a B1 learner without prior exposure, so comprehension is only partial.
Etymology
Tempt fate probably comes from the old idea of 'tempting God' — trying to test him by doing something risky. Picture teasing a wild animal: if you tempt danger or fate, it may turn on you, so tempt fate means taking unnecessary risks that could bring 'bad luck'.