borrow trouble

Idioms  

1. 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.

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Example Sentences

Don’t borrow trouble: If he’s still doing this when he’s well, tell him his clock is ready to go back to work and says he’s healthy enough to stay in his own bed.

From Slate • Mar. 11, 2019

“I just think you borrow trouble when you put your children in government meetings, whether it is legal or not,” said Ari Fleischer, who served as press secretary to President George W. Bush.

From New York Times • Dec. 20, 2016

She’d had a premonition—or was it only her inclination to borrow trouble?

From The New Yorker • Oct. 27, 2016

I'm not stressed; I don't borrow trouble from tomorrow.

From BBC • Dec. 3, 2015

Don’t borrow trouble, that’s what Eliza would say.

From "Fever 1793" by Laurie Halse Anderson