See Also: tempt(dictionary)
tempt(dictionary)

tempt (oh)



[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: tempter, tenter, from Latin temptare, tentare 'to feel, try, tempt']
to try to persuade someone to do something by making it seem attractive
tempt sb into doing sth
::The new program is designed to tempt young people into studying engineering.
tempt sb to do sth
::It would take a lot of money to tempt me to quit this job.
to make someone want to have or do something, even though they know they really should not
::If you leave valuables in your car it will tempt thieves.
be tempted to do sth
::I'm tempted to buy that dress.
tempt fate
also tempt providence BrE
a) to do something that involves unnecessary risk and may cause serious problems
::Fire officials said developers are tempting fate by building deep into the scenic canyons.
b) to say too confidently that something will have a good result, that there will be no problems etc, when it is likely there will be problems