submit to fate

USAGE SUMMARY

"submit to fate" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is generally used to express the idea of accepting something, especially an unpleasant or difficult event, without trying to change it. For example, "We all have to submit to fate and take life as it comes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Or you could double down and submit to fate by strapping on your roller skates and defiantly disco dancing your way into oblivion.

The New York Times

It was this same attitude that saw a bleeding Brook submit to fate so readily.

BBC

After he learns that Moebius serves The Elder God, and that he has thus been duped, Raziel faces a decision: indulge his lust for vengeance but submit to fate by killing Kain, or defy his cohorts and exercise his free will by exerting mercy.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Strapped in and locked down in the front row of the roller coaster, Justin submitted to fate.

The New York Times - Style

But there is a difference between acknowledging reality and accepting it, between trying to shape it and readily submitting to fate.

The Guardian

Kaplan, before recounting General McChrystal's "oft-documented physical regimen" ("running eight miles a day, eating one meal a day, and sleeping four hours a night"), writes that McChrystal "has never submitted to fate".

The New Yorker

Should she submit to her fate or make it?

The New York Times - Books

This does not mean that Palestinians should simply give up and submit to the fate imposed on them.

The New York Times

"Those who submit to the fate that God has given them will enter heaven 500 years earlier than everybody else," she said.

The New York Times

He would not submit to the fate, Mr. Cuomo said, that met the Democrats Eliot Spitzer and David A. Paterson after they took office as governor.

The New York Times

Watergate captured Nixon's deepest qualities, including his uncanny sense of his own failure; at the end of "Frost/Nixon," as the disgraced former President is pressed for an apology, and Langella's face is frozen in torment across the multiple screens above his chair, Nixon seems to submit to his fate, which is his character.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "submit to fate" when you want to convey a sense of resignation or acceptance of a situation that seems unavoidable or predetermined. The phrase works best in contexts where resisting feels futile or impossible.

Common error

Avoid using "submit to fate" when advocating for proactive solutions. The phrase suggests inaction, which may not be appropriate if the situation requires intervention or resistance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "submit to fate" functions as a verb phrase, where "submit" acts as the main verb indicating the action of yielding or surrendering, and "to fate" serves as a prepositional phrase specifying what one is submitting to. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase conveys acceptance without resistance.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "submit to fate" expresses acceptance or resignation towards an unavoidable outcome. While grammatically correct, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, it implies a lack of resistance and can be seen as passive. Its usage spans across news, wiki and formal documents, showing its versatility in different communication styles. When considering using the phrase, evaluate whether a more proactive or empowering alternative might be more appropriate. While frequently used in news, the phrase is uncommon and is considered as neutral form of communication. Consider similar, alternatives like "accept destiny" or "resign oneself to destiny".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

accept destiny

Focuses on accepting one's predetermined course of events.

resign oneself to destiny

Highlights the act of giving up resistance and accepting what is to come.

yield to the inevitable

Emphasizes the futility of resisting something that cannot be avoided.

embrace one's fate

Suggests a more positive acceptance of one's destiny.

acquiesce to destiny

Implies a passive acceptance of what fate dictates.

bow to fate

Conveys a sense of deference and submission to a higher power or predetermined course.

surrender to destiny

Emphasizes giving up control and allowing fate to take its course.

come to terms with destiny

Focuses on a process of acceptance and reconciliation with one's fate.

succumb to fate

Implies a reluctant or forced acceptance of one's destiny.

yield to circumstances

Highlights the acceptance of a specific set of conditions rather than a broader concept of fate.

FAQs

What does "submit to fate" mean?

The phrase "submit to fate" means to accept a situation or outcome, especially a negative one, without resistance or attempt to change it. It implies a belief that events are predetermined and unalterable.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "submit to fate"?

It's appropriate to use "submit to fate" when describing a situation where resistance seems futile or when emphasizing the acceptance of an unavoidable outcome. However, consider whether a more proactive approach might be warranted before suggesting submission.

Are there alternatives to "submit to fate" that imply more agency?

Yes, instead of "submit to fate", consider phrases like "make the best of it", "adapt to circumstances", or "navigate the situation" to suggest a more active response.

How does "submit to fate" differ from "accepting reality"?

"Submit to fate" implies a belief in predetermined events and a lack of control, while "accepting reality" simply means acknowledging the current state of affairs without necessarily believing it's unchangeable. Accepting reality allows for proactive planning, while submitting to fate suggests resignation.