lap of the gods, in the

in the lap of the gods

Decided upon or controlled by luck, chance, or fate; outside of one's control or influence. Whether we'll get enough rainfall this year for an adequate harvest is entirely in the lap of the gods. The health of the team's star player is in the lap of the gods at this point. Whether we'll get enough rainfall this year for an adequate harvest is entirely in the lap of the gods.

See also: god, lap, of

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

lap of the gods, in the

Beyond one's control, in the hands of providence. For example, She's done what she can to expedite matters; now it's in the lap of the gods. This expression is a translation from Homer's Iliad, in which Automedon, the charioteer of Achilles and Patroclos, said the battle's outcome was "in the lap of the gods." Lap of the gods has also been translated as knees of the gods.

See also: lap, of

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.