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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.


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Don’t borrow trouble: When and if the conflicts come, you’ll handle them.

From Slate • Apr. 22, 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