plays with fire
Tempts fate dangerously
To play with fire is to take dangerous risks, especially by meddling with something that could cause serious harm: You're playing with fire if you keep lying to her.
The metaphor captures how seemingly small actions can spiral into disaster.
Often used as a warning: Be careful—you're playing with fire.
- riskPossibility of harm
- dangerExposure to harm
- risk-takingAccepting possible harm
- gambleStake on uncertain outcome
- high stakesSignificant potential for loss
tempting fate · pushing your luck · asking for trouble · hubris · hazardous · peril · thin ice · recklessness · consequence · spark · warning · overconfidence · experimenting · defiance · carelessness · embers · live wire · daredevilry
plays with fireerrs on the side of caution
Acts with excessive prudence
hedges one's bets · keeps one's head down · stays in one's lane · keeps a low profile · walks on eggshells
play, plays, played, playing, player, players, playful, playfully, playfulness