Phrase guide

tempt fate

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To take a risk.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • Don't tempt fate by driving without a seatbelt.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: court disaster, play Russian roulette

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To take an imagined or superstitiously believed risk of provoking an adverse outcome by mentioning something or making a prediction.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • I shouldn't tempt fate, but it looks like it's going to rain.
  • "I'm sure everything will work out fine" — "Don't tempt fate!"

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

11 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Dutch: het lot tarten — Translations
  • Finnish: uhmata kohtaloa — Translations
  • French: tenter le diable — Translations
  • Greek: προκαλώ τη μοίρα (prokaló ti moíra) — Translations
  • Hungarian: kísérti a sorsot — Translations
  • Polish: kusić los — Translations
  • Polish: skusić los — Translations
  • Russian: искуша́ть судьбу́ (iskušátʹ sudʹbú) — Translations
  • Spanish: tentar al diablo — Translations
  • Spanish: tentar a la suerte — Translations
  • Ukrainian: випробо́вувати до́лю (vyprobóvuvaty dólju) — Translations