leave to chance

Meaning

This phrase means to allow a situation to be decided by luck, fate, or coincidence rather than planning, preparing, or controlling it. It is often used in the negative ('leave nothing to chance') to emphasize meticulous preparation. The tone is practical, cautious, or sometimes critical of poor planning.

Examples

• We planned every detail of the wedding because we didn't want to leave anything to chance.

  We planned every detail of the wedding because we didn't want to leave anything to chance.

• When you're climbing a dangerous mountain, you cannot leave your safety to chance.

  When you're climbing a dangerous mountain, you cannot leave your safety to chance.

• He left his career progression to chance instead of actively seeking promotions.

  He left his career progression to chance instead of actively seeking promotions.

• The exam is highly competitive, so she studied every topic to leave nothing to chance.

  The exam is highly competitive, so she studied every topic to leave nothing to chance.

• Never leave your home security to chance; always lock your doors when you go out.

  Never leave your home security to chance; always lock your doors when you go out.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I don't want to leave my future on chance.

  ✓ I don't want to leave my future to chance.

  The correct and fixed preposition in this idiom is 'to', not 'on' or 'by'.

• ✗ Don't leave your health for chance; eat well and exercise.

  ✓ Don't leave your health to chance; eat well and exercise.

  'Leave to chance' is a fixed idiomatic collocation; using 'for' is non-standard.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The pilot checked the instruments twice, refusing to leave anything ___.

  💡 to luck or fate

  Show answer

  to chance

• If you want to pass the driver's test, don't just ___.

  💡 rely on luck

  Show answer

  leave it to chance