borrow trouble


Go out of one's way to do something that may be harmful, as in Just sign the will—telling her about it ahead of time is borrowing trouble. [Mid-1800s] Also see ask for, def. 2.

Words Nearby borrow trouble

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

How to use borrow trouble in a sentence

  • This is proof that born brains cannot equal manufactured brains, for my brains dwell only on facts and never borrow trouble.

    The Tin Woodman of Oz | L. Frank Baum
  • Ralph knew that the appearance indicated more wind, but he determined not to borrow trouble from the future.

    Ralph Granger's Fortunes | William Perry Brown
  • All the same, we girls are going to buy for cash, and never borrow trouble, if we can help it!

    Girl Scouts at Dandelion Camp | Lillian Elizabeth Roy
  • Among the latter are, "Set not the wolf to guard the sheep," "Never borrow trouble,"

    Woman's Work in Music | Arthur Elson
  • "We won't borrow trouble to-night, Bert," responded Mrs. Barton, concealing her solicitude under a cheerful exterior.

    Five Hundred Dollars | Horatio Alger