Tempt providence In english explanation

The meaning, explanation, definition and origin of the idiom/phrase "tempt providence", English Idiom Dictionary ( also found in Vietnamese )

Tonia Thai

2021-06-18 12:06

Meaning of Tempt providence (redirected from to tempt fate )

Synonyms:

sail close to the wind , play with fire

To tempt fate American British informal

To do something that is risky or unsafe without knowing whether the outcome would be good or bad

Think twice. You're tempting fate by choosing to dive at this depth.

Peter is really tempting fate by driving a car without a license in the city.

I don't want to tempt fate by taunting my neighbor's dog, because it has the potential to bite me in any event.

Grammar and Usage of To tempt fate

Verb Forms

tempted fate
tempting fate
tempts fate
to tempt fate

The verb "tempt" should be conjugated according to its tense.

Origin of To tempt fate

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.

The Origin Cited: https://www.dictionary.com/ .