tempt fate en · VERB
Pronunciation
- (Australia) audio
Meanings
-
(idiomatic) To take a risk.
When the traffic signal says, "Don't Walk," flashing its ominous red, my companions may tempt fate, but I […] stand still.
1979 February 3, Nancy Walker, “Going Bananas”, in Gay Community News, volume 6, number 27, page 11:Don't tempt fate by driving without a seatbelt.
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To take an imagined or superstitiously believed risk of provoking an adverse outcome by mentioning something or making a prediction.
"I'm sure everything will work out fine" — "Don't tempt fate!"
I shouldn't tempt fate, but it looks like it's going to rain.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| tempts fate | Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres | lexicographic | |
| tempted fate | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| tempted fate | Tense=Past | lexicographic | |
| tempting fate | Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic |
Relateds
risk one's life and limb · cheat fate · hostage to fortune
Synonyms
play Russian roulette · court disaster
Translations (11)
fr tenter le diable (Translations) · es tentar a la suerte (Translations) · hu kísérti a sorsot (Translations) · el προκαλώ τη μοίρα (Translations) · es tentar al diablo (Translations) · fi uhmata kohtaloa (Translations) · ru искуша́ть судьбу́ (Translations) · pl kusić los (Translations) · uk випробо́вувати до́лю (Translations) · pl skusić los (Translations) · nl het lot tarten (Translations)