fate
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(as) sure as fate
Certainly or without a doubt; assumed as true based on previous experience or evidence. It had to have been Mike who leaked our plans to the press, sure as fate! Come into a great fortune and, as sure as fate, the number of those who would be your friend increases tenfold. They just aren't right for each other; they're sure as fate to break up eventually.
(one's) fate is sealed
A particular outcome for one is assured. If the jury comes back with a guilty verdict, then his fate is sealed. We're down by three goals with 11 seconds left in the game—pretty sure our fate is sealed. She doesn't have any heart or brain activity? Does that mean her fate is sealed?
(the) master of (one's) own fate
One who makes one's own decisions about or directly controls the course of one's future, independent of the desires, expectations, or machinations of others. After being under the thumb of my family for so many years, it felt incredible to finally be the master of my own fate. Do you feel trapped in your career, with no say in the way you spend your working hours? Our three-day motivational seminar will give you the tools and confidence you need to become master of your own fate. You're in college now. You can be the master of your own fate.
be (the) master of (one's) own fate
To make one's own decisions about or be in direct control of one's future, independent of the desires, expectations, or machinations of others. After being under the thumb of my family for so many years, it felt incredible to know that I was finally master of my own fate. Do you feel trapped in your career, with no say in the way you spend your working hours? Our three-day motivational seminar will give you the tools and confidence you need to be the master of your own fate. You're in college now. You're can be the master of your own fate.
be a fate worse than death
To be a very unpleasant situation or experience. This phrase is usually used hyperbolically, especially when referring to some form of punishment. It will be a fate worse than death if my parents catch me sneaking in after curfew. I appreciate Gina inviting me to go with her to the theater, but having to listen to those opera singers would be a fate worse than death. Both of my parents are scientists, so failing Chemistry class would be a fate worse than death.
become (the) master of (one's) own fate
To become able to make one's own decisions about or have direct control of one's future, independent of the desires, expectations, or machinations of others. After being under the thumb of my family for so many years, it felt incredible to know that I had finally become master of my own fate. Do you feel trapped in your career, with no say in the way you spend your working hours? Our three-day motivational seminar will give you the tools and confidence you need to become the master of your own fate. You're in college now. You've officially become the master of your own destiny.
don't tempt fate
Don't do something that invites bad luck or an unpleasant outcome, especially by showing one's confidence. A: "I'm going to ace this exam." B: "Now, now, don't tempt fate." A: "Hopefully we'll be able to start building by the end of the week." B: "Don't tempt fate. We're still waiting on our application to be approved, and there's still a lot that can go wrong with that process." A: "It's been pretty quiet on the floor today?" B: "What is wrong with you? Don't tempt fate by saying something like that!"
fate worse than death
A hyperbolic phrase referring to a situation or experience that is very unpleasant. I appreciate Gina inviting me to go with her to the theater, but having to listen to those opera singers would be a fate worse than death. It will be a fate worse than death if my parents catch me sneaking in after curfew. Both of my parents are scientists, so failing Chemistry class would be a fate worse than death.
leave (one) to (one's) fate
To refuse to aid or assist one, instead allowing for whatever outcome was bound to occur naturally. I don't consider myself a hero. I just knew I couldn't leave those people to their fates in that burning building. I appealed to my father-in-law to loan me the money I needed to keep the business afloat, but he just left me to my fate.
leave (something) to fate
To resign oneself to something's outcome being determined forces outside of one's control. My boss always scrutinizes the smallest details of any deal she makes—she says there's nothing more foolish than leaving things to fate in business. You could just pick a few different investments and leave the whole process to fate, or you could let our firm plan your investments meticulously in order to maximize your return.
seal (one's) fate
To solidify or confirm that a particular, usually unpleasant, thing will happen. If you fail this exam, it will seal your fate and make your GPA low enough to qualify for expulsion.
tempt fate
1. To do something that one knows is dangerous or likely to have a negative outcome. You're really tempting fate by not taking your car in for service when all these dashboard lights are on.
2. To invite bad luck or unpleasant situations by showing one's confidence in something. I'm afraid to tempt fate, but I really think I did well on the exam.
turn of fate
A highly unexpected or coincidental event, especially one that has an important or far-reaching influence on the future. It was a turn of fate that brought together the two brilliant scientists who would go on to solve the world's energy crisis. Really, it was down to a turn of fate that I happened to get this job. Right place, right time, as they say.
twist of fate
A highly unexpected or coincidental event, especially one that has an important or far-reaching influence on the future. It was a twist of fate that brought together the two brilliant scientists who would go on to solve the world's energy crisis. Really, it was down to a twist of fate that I happened to get this job. Right place, right time, as they say.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
fate worse than death
Fig. a terrible fate. (Usually an exaggeration.) Having to sit through one of his lectures is a fate worse than death.
leave one to one's fate
to abandon someone to whatever may happen—possibly death or some other unpleasant event. We couldn't rescue the miners and were forced to leave them to their fate. Please don't try to help. Just go away and leave me to my fate.
seal someone's fate
Fig. to determine finally the fate of someone. His lying and cheating sealed his fate. He was convicted and sent to prison.
someone's fate is sealed
Fig. the destiny of somene has been determined. When the driver finally saw that the bridge was out, he knew his fate was sealed.
*sure as God made little green apples
and *sure as eggs is eggs; *sure as fate; *sure as I'm stand-ing here; *sure as you liveRur. absolutely certain. (*Also: as ~.) I'm as sure as God made little green apples that he's the one. I'm right, as sure as you live!
twist of fate
and turn of fateFig. a fateful event; an unanticipated change in a sequence of events. A strange turn of fate brought Fred and his ex-wife together at a New Year's Eve party in Queens.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
fate worse than death, a
A highly undesirable occurrence, a misfortune, as in Dean thinks driving daily during rush hour is a fate worse than death. Formerly applied quite seriously to a woman's loss of virginity, this idiom today is used hyperbolically and far more loosely. [1600s]
seal one's fate
Decide what will become of one, as in The letter of rejection sealed his fate; he'd have to apply to other medical schools. This term employs seal in the sense of "permanently fix or fasten something," a usage dating from the mid-1600s.
tempt fate
Also, tempt the fates. Take a severe risk, as in It's tempting fate to start up that mountain so late in the day, or Patrice thought driving that old car was tempting the fates; it was sure to break down . 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 American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
a fate worse than death
If you describe something that could happen as a fate worse than death, you mean that it is extremely unpleasant. They were forced to share the same office space as me — a fate worse than death. Why is it considered a fate worse than death to stay at home and rear children? Note: This expression is often used humorously to show that you do not think that the thing is really very bad.
seal someone's fate
COMMON If something seals the fate of a person or thing, it makes it certain that something unpleasant will happen to them. The plan removes power from the government, sealing the fate of the unpopular Prime Minister. It was his decision to walk that night, rather than taking a taxi, that sealed his fate.
tempt fate
COMMON
1. If someone tempts fate, they take unnecessary risks or do something that may bring them bad luck. They charged the organisers with tempting fate by sending so many ill-prepared crews into such dangerous waters. Note: You can also say that someone tempts providence. I used to take the most appalling risks because it was in my nature to push everything to the extreme. I was tempting providence all the time.
2. If you tempt fate, you talk too confidently about something which may go wrong. While I wouldn't want to tempt fate, almost every time this team has been put under pressure, they've triumphed. Note: You can also say that someone tempts providence. I'm 36 and I'd hate to tempt providence and say I'm going to get pregnant.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
a fate worse than death
a terrible experience, especially that of seduction or rape. 1991 Thomas Hayden The Killing Frost He dominated the conversation, holding the Hackett and Townshend women spellbound as he told of how he had broken up a white-slave ring in Dublin, and how he had rescued an innocent young girl from a fate worse than death.
seal someone's fate
make it inevitable that something unpleasant will happen to someone.tempt fate (or providence)
act rashly. informalFarlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
a ˌfate worse than ˈdeath
(often humorous) a terrible experience: Go on a trip with the Trumans? You’re joking. It would be a fate worse than death.tempt ˈfate/ˈprovidence
take a risk or do something dangerous: ‘I don’t think I’ll insure my boat.’ ‘Don’t tempt fate. It’s best to insure it.’Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
fate worse than death, a
Seduction or rape of a woman. This term, originating about the mid-seventeenth century, became a cliché in the late nineteenth century, when it also began to be used in a jocular fashion for sexual relations among willing partners. E. R. Burroughs, however, still meant it seriously: “The ape . . . bearing Jane Porter away toward a fate a thousand times worse than death” (Tarzan, 1917).
tempt fate, to
To expose to danger, to risk something. This expression dates from about 1700, when it replaced the earlier to tempt fortune. It appeared in John Dryden’s translation of one of the satires of Juvenal (1693): “Thy Perjur’d Friend will quickly tempt his Fate.”
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer