tempted fate
Invited bad luck
To tempt fate is to act in a way that invites bad luck or disaster, especially by being overconfident or careless about risk.
The phrase suggests that fate punishes hubris: Don't say we're definitely going to win—you're tempting fate.
Someone who tempts fate might boast about never getting sick, then immediately catch a cold.
- repercussionsIndirect results of actions
- gambleStake on uncertain outcome
- rolled the diceAccepted uncertain outcome
- dareChallenge to act boldly
- living dangerouslyEmbracing hazardous choices
pushing your luck · impulsiveness · luck · karma · backlash · hubris · thrill-seeking · defy · inevitability · overconfidence · courting disaster · jinx · famous last words · whistling past the graveyard · challenge · unintended consequences · fortune · against all odds
tempted fateplayed it safe
Acted to minimize risk
erred on the side of caution · hedged one's bets · dotted the i's and crossed the t's · stayed in one's lane · kept a low profile
tempt, tempted, tempting, temptation, temptations, tempter, temptress, fate, fates