tempt fate

present singular third person tempts fate · participle present tempting fate · participle past tempted fate · past tempted fate

1. idiomaticTo take a risk.

   Don't tempt fate by driving without a seatbelt.

   1 more example

   When the traffic signal says, "Don't Walk," flashing its ominous red, my companions may tempt fate, but I […] stand still.

   1979 February 3, Nancy Walker, “Going Bananas”, in Gay Community News, volume 6, number 27, page 11

   Synonyms: court disaster, play Russian roulette

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

   I shouldn't tempt fate, but it looks like it's going to rain.

   1 more example

   "I'm sure everything will work out fine" — "Don't tempt fate!"