borrow trouble

borrow trouble

To do something that is unnecessary and likely to cause problems later. That kid isn't bullying you, so if you tattle on him to the teacher, you're definitely borrowing trouble. Hey, Mom and Dad are already in a bad mood, so if you asked them for money right now, you'd probably be borrowing trouble. I know, you told me I'd be borrowing trouble if I cheated on my test, but I didn't listen.

See also: borrow, trouble

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

borrow trouble

Fig. to worry needlessly; to make trouble for oneself. Worrying too much about death is just borrowing trouble. Do not get involved with politics. That's borrowing trouble.

See also: borrow, trouble

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

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.

See also: borrow, trouble

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.

borrow trouble

take needless action that may have bad effects. North American

See also: borrow, trouble

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

borrow trouble

To take an unnecessary action that will probably engender adverse effects.

See also: borrow, trouble

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.