pushed one's luck
Tempted fate repeatedly
To push one's luck is to take additional risks after initial success, tempting fate by pressing an advantage too far.
Someone who has gotten away with something once might push their luck by trying again: He'd called in sick three Mondays in a row—he was really pushing his luck.
The phrase implies that fortune has limits and shouldn't be tested.
- dareChallenge to act boldly
- test the watersAssess before fully committing
- backfireYield unintended consequences
- gambleStake on uncertain outcome
- tempt fateRecklessly invite misfortune
roll the dice · bold move · high stakes · risk · hubris · brinkmanship · overreach · ask for trouble · overconfidence · impatience · regret · misstep · bluff · venture · miscalculation · downfall · play with fire · skating on thin ice
pushed one's luckplayed it safe
Acted to minimize risk
erred on the side of caution · hedged one's bets · kept one's head down
pushed one's luckquit while ahead
Leave during success
counted one's blessings · rested on one's laurels · cashed out · let sleeping dogs lie · cut one's losses
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