Push one's luck
Meaning
To continue to do something risky or potentially detrimental, especially after a period of success or good fortune, thereby increasing the chance of a negative outcome.
Origin
The phrase "push one's luck" made its debut in the English lexicon in the early 20th century, primarily taking root in the context of games of chance and competition. Picture a gambler at a card table, having won several hands in a row. Instead of cashing out, they decide to raise the stakes, essentially daring fate to continue their good fortune. This act of aggressively testing the limits of a successful streak, as if physically pushing an unseen boundary, gave the phrase its vivid imagery. It quickly migrated from the gambling hall to everyday language, encapsulating the universal human tendency to overextend a period of good fortune, often with dire consequences.
Examples
- She won twice at the casino, but wisely decided not to push her luck and left before losing everything.
- You've already asked for two extensions; don't push your luck by asking for a third.