tempt fate
idiom
: to do something that is very risky or dangerous
Race car drivers tempt fate every time they race.
Examples of tempt fate in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Fortunately for the Eagles, their defense fared just fine without him, but the Eagles likely don't want to tempt fate again heading into a grudge match against Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and company.
—
Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
So, our message to the supreme leader is, look at the lessons of history, do not, do not tempt fate.
—ABC News, 22 June 2025
From familiar faces fans will remember from the first season to the new contestants looking to tempt fate in the games, celebrate the musical genius of the Squid Game Season 2 cast while admiring the intense acting needed for such a show.
—Jeff Benjamin, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
But in 2018, the state Legislature and Gov. Jerry Brown decided to tempt fate by tearing down the annex and building an expensive new building for itself.
—Joe Mathews, The Mercury News, 31 Aug. 2024
Memo to event planners everywhere: Don’t tempt fate by planning a high-profile gathering in the Loop this week.
—Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2023
Instead of tempt fate with López, Hyde called on reliever Paul Fry, who needed just one pitch for Soto to chop to third.
—Jon Meoli, baltimoresun.com, 24 July 2021
That will require teams to go with a full five-person rotation (or tempt fate and tiring out arms in a series without off-days with a bullpen game).
—Michael Rand, Star Tribune, 22 Sep. 2020
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
So, our message to the supreme leader is, look at the lessons of history, do not, do not tempt fate.
—ABC News, 22 June 2025
From familiar faces fans will remember from the first season to the new contestants looking to tempt fate in the games, celebrate the musical genius of the Squid Game Season 2 cast while admiring the intense acting needed for such a show.
—Jeff Benjamin, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
But in 2018, the state Legislature and Gov. Jerry Brown decided to tempt fate by tearing down the annex and building an expensive new building for itself.
—Joe Mathews, The Mercury News, 31 Aug. 2024
Memo to event planners everywhere: Don’t tempt fate by planning a high-profile gathering in the Loop this week.
—Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2023
Instead of tempt fate with López, Hyde called on reliever Paul Fry, who needed just one pitch for Soto to chop to third.
—Jon Meoli, baltimoresun.com, 24 July 2021
That will require teams to go with a full five-person rotation (or tempt fate and tiring out arms in a series without off-days with a bullpen game).
—Michael Rand, Star Tribune, 22 Sep. 2020
Cite this Entry
“Tempt fate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tempt%20fate. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share