Definitions

play with fire

VERB

chance

Synonyms

STRONG

attempt gamble hazard jeopardize plunge speculate stake try venture wager wildcat

WEAK

cast lots draw lots go out on a limb have a fling at put eggs in one basket put it on the line roll the dice run the risk skate on thin ice stick one's neck out take shot in the dark tempt fate tempt fortune toss up

Antonyms

STRONG

abstain

WEAK

aim design plan scheme

VERB

risk

Synonyms

STRONGEST

compromise defy endanger imperil jeopardize

STRONG

adventure beard brave chance confront dare encounter face gamble hazard jeopardy meet menace peril plunge speculate tackle venture wager

WEAK

be caught short defy danger expose to danger go out of one's depth hang by a thread leap before looking leave to luck put in jeopardy run the chance run the risk skate on thin ice take a flyer take a header take a plunge take on take the liberty

Antonyms

STRONGEST

guard protect save

STRONG

avoid be careful design dodge hide neglect plan retreat run away

WEAK

be certain

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.

“I know myself and I don’t want to play with fire any longer.”

From New York Times • Feb. 4, 2024

Yes, if you play with fire, you might get burned.

From Slate • Oct. 1, 2022

In these moments, “Athena” shows it likes to play with fire, though mainly because of how cool it looks.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 21, 2022

"Those who play with fire will perish by it," Beijing warned in a statement.

From BBC • Aug. 2, 2022

Old enough, I thought, to know better than to play with fire.

From "Kindred" by Octavia Butler