Sometimes, things happen in life that we can’t control. We may study hard, plan carefully, or work our best, but something unexpected can still happen. People often say this is because of “fate.” Fate is the idea that certain things are meant to happen, no matter what we do. It’s like a path that is already chosen for us.
To talk about fate, people use idioms. Idioms are special phrases that mean something different than the words they use. In this article, we will learn 28 idioms about fate. Each one helps us understand how people talk about life’s surprises and what they believe is meant to be. Let’s explore how these sayings make talking about life more interesting.
Idioms About Fate
1. What’s Meant to Be, Will Be
Meaning: Things will happen if they are supposed to.
Example Sentence:
– Don’t worry about the tryouts. What’s meant to be, will be.
– She didn’t get the part, but she said, “What’s meant to be, will be.”
Other ways to say: It’s out of your hands, Let it happen
Fun Fact/Origin: This saying comes from old ideas that life follows a set path.
Usage: Used when people want to feel calm about something they can’t change.
2. Written in the Stars
Meaning: Something is meant to happen, like it’s planned by the universe.
Example Sentence:
– Their friendship was written in the stars.
– He felt their win was written in the stars.
Other ways to say: Destined to happen, Meant to be
Fun Fact/Origin: This idiom comes from astrology, where stars were thought to tell your future.
Usage: Used when people think something was always going to happen.
3. Crossed Paths
Meaning: To meet someone by chance, as if fate wanted it.
Example Sentence:
– We crossed paths at the store after years.
– They crossed paths during vacation and became friends.
Other ways to say: Met by chance, Ran into each other
Fun Fact/Origin: The idea is that lives move like roads, sometimes crossing.
Usage: Used when people meet unexpectedly.
4. Seal Your Fate
Meaning: To do something that decides what will happen next.
Example Sentence:
– Skipping practice sealed his fate for the game.
– By breaking the rule, she sealed her fate.
Other ways to say: Decide your future, Set your ending
Fun Fact/Origin: “Seal” means to close, like sealing a letter.
Usage: Used when an action leads to a sure result.
5. Twist of Fate
Meaning: A surprising change that happens by chance.
Example Sentence:
– A twist of fate made them neighbors again.
– He found his lost dog by a twist of fate.
Other ways to say: Strange luck, Sudden change
Fun Fact/Origin: A “twist” means something unexpected.
Usage: Used when something surprising happens that feels planned.
6. In the Cards
Meaning: Something is likely to happen in the future.
Example Sentence:
– A trip to Florida might be in the cards.
– She thinks college is in the cards for her.
Other ways to say: Might happen, Looks like it will happen
Fun Fact/Origin: This comes from card reading, used to tell the future.
Usage: Used to talk about future chances.
7. The Stars Aligned
Meaning: Everything happened perfectly at the right time.
Example Sentence:
– The stars aligned for their big win.
– It felt like the stars aligned when he found the lost ring.
Other ways to say: Perfect timing, Everything worked out
Fun Fact/Origin: This also comes from astrology, where star positions mattered.
Usage: Used when everything goes just right.
8. Face Your Destiny
Meaning: To meet the future, even if it’s hard or scary.
Example Sentence:
– He was ready to face his destiny on game day.
– She faced her destiny with courage.
Other ways to say: Accept your future, Meet your fate
Fun Fact/Origin: “Destiny” means what is supposed to happen.
Usage: Used when someone bravely meets what’s coming.
9. Meant to Cross Your Path
Meaning: Someone or something was supposed to come into your life.
Example Sentence:
– That puppy was meant to cross your path.
– She said her teacher was meant to cross her path.
Other ways to say: Meant to meet, It happened for a reason
Fun Fact/Origin: It’s like people’s roads in life were meant to meet.
Usage: Used when a meeting feels special or fated.
10. A Lucky Break
Meaning: A sudden, helpful change by chance.
Example Sentence:
– Getting that call was a lucky break.
– Her lucky break was finding her keys in the snow.
Other ways to say: Good fortune, Sudden luck
Fun Fact/Origin: “Break” means a big change.
Usage: Used when something good happens unexpectedly.
11. Meant to Happen
Meaning: Something was going to happen no matter what.
Example Sentence:
– It was meant to happen that they got the last slice.
– They said the snow day was meant to happen.
Other ways to say: Bound to happen, Destined
Fun Fact/Origin: This idea helps people feel better about surprises.
Usage: Used to explain why things happen.
12. Leave It to Fate
Meaning: Let things happen on their own.
Example Sentence:
– They didn’t plan the trip and left it to fate.
– I’ll leave it to fate and see what happens.
Other ways to say: Don’t plan, Go with the flow
Fun Fact/Origin: Some people believe fate always finds a way.
Usage: Used when not making a choice and waiting to see.
13. Out of Your Hands
Meaning: You can’t control what will happen.
Example Sentence:
– After studying, the test was out of her hands.
– The coach said it’s out of his hands now.
Other ways to say: Not in your control, Let it go
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea of letting go.
Usage: Used when you can’t do anything more.
14. Strike of Luck
Meaning: A sudden, good thing happening by chance.
Example Sentence:
– It was a strike of luck to find a $10 bill.
– Their team won by a strike of luck.
Other ways to say: Good chance, Lucky moment
Fun Fact/Origin: This is like lightning striking—sudden and rare.
Usage: Used when something good happens quickly and by chance.
15. On the Cards
Meaning: Something might happen soon.
Example Sentence:
– A class trip might be on the cards next month.
– Rain is on the cards for tomorrow.
Other ways to say: Could happen, Likely to happen
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from fortune-telling with playing cards.
Usage: Used to talk about something that may happen.
16. Fate Had Other Plans
Meaning: Something different happened than what you expected.
Example Sentence:
– They planned to camp, but fate had other plans—it rained.
– I wanted to win, but fate had other plans.
Other ways to say: It didn’t go as planned, Something else happened
Fun Fact/Origin: Shows how life can surprise us.
Usage: Used when plans change unexpectedly.
17. Tied to Your Destiny
Meaning: Something or someone is part of your life journey.
Example Sentence:
– He believed music was tied to his destiny.
– She felt their friendship was tied to her destiny.
Other ways to say: Part of your future, Connected to your fate
Fun Fact/Origin: This comes from the idea of life being like a rope or line.
Usage: Used when something feels very important to your path.
18. Meant for Each Other
Meaning: Two people are perfect matches.
Example Sentence:
– They were meant for each other since kindergarten.
– Everyone says the puppies are meant for each other.
Other ways to say: Perfect pair, Made for one another
Fun Fact/Origin: People often say this about love stories.
Usage: Used to describe strong or lucky friendships and love.
19. At the Mercy of Fate
Meaning: Having no control and letting life decide.
Example Sentence:
– With no map, they were at the mercy of fate.
– He didn’t study, so he was at the mercy of fate.
Other ways to say: Hoping for the best, Letting fate decide
Fun Fact/Origin: “Mercy” means kindness—this idiom hopes fate is kind.
Usage: Used when you give up control and wait for the outcome.
20. Hand of Fate
Meaning: Fate decided something for you.
Example Sentence:
– The hand of fate brought them together.
– A lost wallet returned by mail felt like the hand of fate.
Other ways to say: Fate’s work, It was meant to happen
Fun Fact/Origin: Imagines fate as a person making choices.
Usage: Used when something unexpected feels meant to be.
21. Born Under a Lucky Star
Meaning: Someone always has good luck.
Example Sentence:
– He always wins games. He must be born under a lucky star.
– She finds great parking spots—born under a lucky star!
Other ways to say: Always lucky, Has good fortune
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from old beliefs that stars shape your future.
Usage: Used when someone always seems to get lucky.
22. As Luck Would Have It
Meaning: It happened by chance, often in a good way.
Example Sentence:
– As luck would have it, they found their missing dog.
– She ran into her friend, as luck would have it.
Other ways to say: Luckily, By chance
Fun Fact/Origin: Shows how life sometimes surprises you.
Usage: Used when something happens just by chance.
23. The Die Is Cast
Meaning: A decision is made, and there’s no going back.
Example Sentence:
– He turned in the test. The die is cast.
– When she moved, the die was cast.
Other ways to say: No turning back, It’s decided
Fun Fact/Origin: From dice games, where once you roll, you can’t undo it.
Usage: Used when something can’t be changed.
24. Luck of the Draw
Meaning: Something happened by random chance.
Example Sentence:
– Getting the last seat was just the luck of the draw.
– He was picked to lead. Luck of the draw!
Other ways to say: Random luck, Chosen by chance
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from drawing cards or names from a hat.
Usage: Used when something random happens.
25. Stars Were Against Them
Meaning: Things didn’t work out because fate didn’t help.
Example Sentence:
– The team tried hard, but the stars were against them.
– They missed the flight—the stars were against them.
Other ways to say: Unlucky, Bad timing
Fun Fact/Origin: The stars were once thought to control fate.
Usage: Used when things don’t go well, even with effort.
26. Meant to Miss It
Meaning: Missing something for a reason, even if unknown.
Example Sentence:
– He missed the bus, but maybe he was meant to miss it.
– She didn’t get the role. Maybe she was meant to miss it.
Other ways to say: Maybe it’s for the best, Happened for a reason
Fun Fact/Origin: Some people feel even mistakes happen for good reason.
Usage: Used to explain disappointments in a positive way.
27. Luck Runs Out
Meaning: Good fortune stops.
Example Sentence:
– He kept winning until his luck ran out.
– Her streak ended—her luck ran out.
Other ways to say: Luck ended, No more good fortune
Fun Fact/Origin: People think luck is like fuel—it can run out.
Usage: Used when things stop going well.
28. Fated to Happen
Meaning: Something had to happen, no matter what.
Example Sentence:
– Their meeting was fated to happen.
– The game’s ending felt fated to happen.
Other ways to say: Meant to happen, Destined
Fun Fact/Origin: This comes from the idea that fate writes the story of life.
Usage: Used when something feels like it had to happen.
Quiz: Idioms About Fate
Instructions: Read each question and the answer choices carefully. Pick the letter that best matches the meaning of the phrase or expression.
Question Key
1. What does “written in the stars” mean?
A) It’s about reading books under the stars
B) Something is planned by the universe
C) It’s a way to talk about stars in space
2. What does “seal your fate” mean?
A) To keep a secret
B) To finish a project
C) To do something that decides what will happen
3. If something is “meant to happen,” what does it mean?
A) It was a total accident
B) It was supposed to happen no matter what
C) It was a silly mistake
4. What does “the stars aligned” mean?
A) The stars were all in the sky
B) Everything happened perfectly
C) The stars moved out of place
5. What does “a lucky break” mean?
A) Taking a break during a lucky time
B) Something good happens by chance
C) A small accident
6. If you are “at the mercy of fate,” what does that mean?
A) You are helping someone
B) You’re in control of everything
C) You can’t control what will happen
7. What does “the die is cast” mean?
A) A decision has been made and can’t be changed
B) You’re about to play a game
C) You’re trying something new
8. What does “fate had other plans” mean?
A) You changed your mind
B) Something else happened instead of what you wanted
C) You followed your plan perfectly
9. What does “born under a lucky star” mean?
A) You sleep outside
B) You have bad luck
C) You’re usually lucky
10. If someone says “leave it to fate,” what do they mean?
A) Don’t try to plan, just let things happen
B) You should study harder
C) You must ask someone for help
Answer Key
- B – Something is planned by the universe
- C – To do something that decides what will happen
- B – It was supposed to happen no matter what
- B – Everything happened perfectly
- B – Something good happens by chance
- C – You can’t control what will happen
- A – A decision has been made and can’t be changed
- B – Something else happened instead of what you wanted
- C – You’re usually lucky
- A – Don’t try to plan, just let things happen
Wrapping Up
Fate is something people talk about when they think life has a plan. These idioms help us understand how people see their future, choices, and lucky or unlucky events. They make language more interesting and fun to learn.
Now that you’ve read these idioms, you can try using them when something surprising or unexpected happens. Just remember—sometimes, things happen for a reason, even if we don’t see it right away.
