tempt fate

phrase

: to do something that is very risky or dangerous
Race car drivers tempt fate every time they race.

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tempt fate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tempt%20fate. Accessed 6 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