inviting trouble

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "inviting trouble" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or action that is likely to lead to problems or difficulties. Example: "By ignoring the safety protocols, he was inviting trouble for himself and his team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Opinion

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

It is inviting trouble.

The Guardian - Business

That's inviting trouble.

The Guardian

Morgan Stanley is inviting trouble.

The Guardian - Business

Inviting Trouble A good friend is having a birthday dinner.

The New York Times

But sellers who provide the disclosure could be inviting trouble.

The New York Times

Maybe in those moments, City had been guilty of dropping too far back and inviting trouble.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

"The president, if he continues to go down on this path of taking action on his own, is inviting big trouble," he said.

The Guardian

Luckily, Amy has now replaced both Daves with a bloke she met on a wargame website, although you have to wonder if she's inviting further trouble.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Republican speaker of the House, John Boehner, has warned Barack Obama he is "inviting big trouble" by using his presidential authority to reform the immigration system, setting the scene for the first major collision between the parties after the midterm elections.

The Guardian

For weeks, reporters and editors at the newspaper and at Southern Weekend have been unwilling to speak publicly about their situation for fear of inviting further trouble for their publications or being made targets themselves.

The New York Times

But Boehner, who oversees a more conservative caucus than McConnell and is a longtime adversary of the president, struck a more uncompromising tone on Thursday, promising to schedule more votes to repeal the president's signature healthcare law and warning Obama would be "inviting big trouble" if he pursued immigration reforms without the legislature.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "inviting trouble", ensure the context clearly indicates the potential negative consequences of the action or situation being described. For example, 'Ignoring the warning signs is like "inviting trouble"'.

Common error

Avoid using "inviting trouble" when the potential consequences are minor or insignificant. This phrase implies a significant risk of negative outcomes, so ensure the situation warrants such strong language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inviting trouble" functions primarily as a verb phrase + noun, acting as a descriptor of an action or situation that is likely to cause problems. Ludwig AI analysis shows it's often used to highlight potential negative consequences.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sport

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Opinion

8%

Science

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "inviting trouble" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe actions or situations likely to cause problems. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and provides numerous examples from diverse sources. While often interchangeable with phrases like "asking for problems" or "tempting fate", "inviting trouble" carries a specific nuance of potential negative consequences. Its neutral register and frequent appearance in news and media make it a versatile choice for various writing contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the situation genuinely warrants the implication of significant risk.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

asking for problems

Replaces "trouble" with "problems", a direct synonym, maintaining the core meaning.

courting disaster

Uses a more dramatic term, "disaster", to emphasize the potential negative consequences.

tempting fate

Implies that the action is challenging one's luck or destiny.

playing with fire

Emphasizes the dangerous nature of the situation.

looking for problems

Shifts the focus to actively seeking out difficulties.

asking for it

A more colloquial and accusatory way of saying someone is bringing trouble upon themselves.

risking complications

Highlights the potential for added difficulties or complexities.

setting oneself up for failure

Focuses on the potential for a negative outcome specifically related to failing.

creating an opportunity for problems

Highlights that the action is opening the door for issues to arise.

leaving the door open for difficulties

Implies that an action has left a vulnerability to problems.

FAQs

How to use "inviting trouble" in a sentence?

Use "inviting trouble" to describe an action or situation that is likely to cause problems or difficulties. For example, "By ignoring the safety protocols, he was "inviting trouble" for himself and his team."

What can I say instead of "inviting trouble"?

You can use alternatives like "asking for problems", "courting disaster", or "tempting fate" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "invite trouble" or "inviting trouble"?

"Invite trouble" is the base verb form, whereas "inviting trouble" is the gerund or present participle form. "Inviting trouble" is used to describe an ongoing action or situation that leads to problems. For example, "Ignoring safety guidelines is inviting trouble".

What is the difference between "asking for trouble" and "inviting trouble"?

The phrases "asking for trouble" and "inviting trouble" are often interchangeable, but "asking for trouble" can sometimes imply a more deliberate or intentional action that leads to problems compared to simply "inviting trouble".