tempt fate

Idioms and Phrases

Also, tempt the fates . Take a severe risk, as in It's tempting fate to start up that mountain so late in the day , or Patrice thought driving that old car was tempting the fates; it was sure to break down . This expression uses tempt in the sense of “test in a way that involves risk or danger.” Earlier idioms with a similar meaning were tempt God , dating from the 1300s, and tempt fortune , first recorded in 1603, with fate appearing about 1700.

Example Sentences

Arobin pulled off his coat, and expressed himself ready and willing to tempt fate in her place.

From Project Gutenberg

I think it's perfect; but I'd better not tempt Fate with any more.

From Project Gutenberg

The oftener we looked the more eager we became to tempt fate.

From Project Gutenberg

It was to tempt fate to venture out of the shelter the rock was giving.

From Project Gutenberg

And yet Maguennoc tried to tempt fate and to get past what men are allowed to know.

From Project Gutenberg