a hostage to fortune

phrase

1
British : something (such as a promise or an action) that someone has made or done that may cause problems in the future
2
US : a person whose future success or failure is controlled by luck or fortune

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“A hostage to fortune.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/a%20hostage%20to%20fortune. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster