Meaning of hostage to fortune | Babel Free

Definitions

1. An action, promise, or remark that is considered unwise because it could be difficult to fulfil or could cause trouble later on.
   British
2. A person or thing whose fate is seen as dependent on chance or luck.
   US

Equivalents

Examples

“He was very cautious with his words and gave no hostages to fortune.”

“He that hath VVife and Children, hath giuen Hoſtages to Fortune; For they are Impediments to great Enterpriſes, either of Vertue, or Miſchiefe. Certainly, the beſt vvorkes, and of greateſt Merit for the Publike, haue proceeded from the vnmarried, or Childleſſe Men; vvhich, both in Affection, and Meanes, haue married and endovved the Publike.”

“VVife and Children are Hoſtages given to Fortune.”

“1982 July 1, Mr. M. O’Leary, Dáil Éireann, volume 337, Houses of the Oireachtas, Ireland https://web.archive.org/web/20121110193054/http://historical-debates.oireachtas.ie/D/0337/D.0337.198207010005.html As I say⟳, there are no answers to date⟳ on these serious issues.... It is understandable in human terms that a Government would wish⟳ to survive⟳, to do better things perhaps, but so far this House has been left in total ignorance of the policy package to be offered by this Government and their day-to-day operation on which this vote⟳ of no confidence is based, on their mishandling of the economy. We can give⟳ no hostage to fortune. On their work⟳ so far they do not deserve⟳ a vote⟳ of confidence here today.”

“2001 November 13, John O'Donoghue, Dáil Éireann, volume 543, Houses of the Oireachtas, Ireland https://web.archive.org/web/20121125140855/http://historical-debates.oireachtas.ie/D/0543/D.0543.200111130010.html I hope⟳ the other report⟳ will be completed at a very early date⟳, but to put⟳ a timescale on it would be to give⟳ hostage to fortune and I am not prepared to do that.”

“Once several good outfits are prepared, any one of which can attack a Japanese-held base⟳ or island and beat⟳ the life out of the garrison, all their islands will become⟳ hostages to fortune.”

“Too many [rail] companies are hostages to fortune by relying on RDW [rest⟳ day working] agreements to run⟳ their timetable.”

CEFR level