up to fate

USAGE SUMMARY

"up to fate" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to indicate that a certain outcome is not predetermined, or that the exact result of something is unclear. For example, "What will happen to our plans is up to fate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

You could chalk things up to fate: blame Providence.

The New Yorker

Patiently and firmly and with endlessly bureaucratized persistence, it makes walking away and giving yourself up to fate seem the easier solution.

The New Yorker

At karaoke bars, the story's in the soundtrack, but who's doing the singing, of what, and how well — that's up to fate.

The New Yorker

The journey's aftermath was up to fate; if things didn't "work out with Willie-Jay," then he might "consider Dick's proposition".

The New Yorker

So we decided to leave the decision up to fate, resting on whether our visa applications were successful.

BBC

End Of The Line 12. Leave It Up To Fate.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

After briefly considering rallying my fellow customers in a mass protest — and deciding that would doom me to some shadowy corner of ignominy occupied by Marie Antoinette and Leona Helmsley — I owned up to my fate of having spent $17.50 on a snack.

The New York Times

(Don't worry -- if you mess it up, chalk it up to ill fate and go buy a pie from the shop).

Huffington Post

With a screenplay masterfully leading up to this fate, the events evolve like a thriller, and even though you know scene by well-constructed scene how it will end, you still root for Oscar, hoping the violence will never come.

Huffington Post

EVERYTHING about relationships is knowable," Regena Thomashauer said, "but in our society people act as if it's only up to the fates or a good hair day.

The New York Times - Style

To the Editor: Re "It's Not the Carriers, It's the Kids" (Practical Traveler, Nov. 27), while crying infants may be up to the fates, babes out-of-arms are another matter.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "up to fate" when you want to express that an outcome depends on circumstances beyond human control. It's appropriate when discussing unpredictable or chance events.

Common error

Avoid using "up to fate" as an excuse for inaction or lack of planning. While acknowledging uncertainty is valid, it should not preclude taking responsible steps to influence outcomes where possible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "up to fate" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or clause, indicating that an outcome is determined by chance or external forces. Ludwig AI confirms this usage pattern.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

17%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "up to fate" is a prepositional phrase used to convey that an outcome is left to chance or external forces beyond one's control. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. While "up to fate" appears most frequently in news and media sources, it also sees use in wiki articles, indicating a neutral level of formality. When writing, it's important to avoid using "up to fate" as an excuse for inaction. Alternatives like "leave it to chance" or "surrender to destiny" can be used to express similar meanings with slightly different connotations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

leave it to chance

Emphasizes the role of randomness in determining the outcome.

surrender to destiny

Implies a more passive acceptance of an inevitable outcome.

entrust it to destiny

Implies handing over responsability, the outcome to something beyond the individual.

resign oneself to fortune

Suggests acceptance of one's luck or circumstances, whether good or bad.

yield to providence

Highlights a divine or guiding force influencing events.

leave in God's hands

Refers to leaving the situation for God to decide.

let matters unfold

Focuses on allowing events to happen without interference.

await the course of events

Emphasizes waiting and observing how things develop naturally.

let the future decide

Focuses on waiting for the future to clarify things.

take its course

Letting something happens in the way it was planned.

FAQs

How can I use "up to fate" in a sentence?

You can use "up to fate" to indicate that the outcome of a situation is uncertain and depends on external forces, as in "We've done all we can; now it's "up to fate"".

What's a more formal alternative to "up to fate"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "subject to unforeseen circumstances", "contingent on external factors", or "dependent on chance occurrences" instead of ""up to fate"".

Is it correct to say "up to destiny" instead of "up to fate"?

While "up to destiny" is similar in meaning to ""up to fate"", the latter is more commonly used. "Destiny" implies a predetermined course, while "fate" can suggest a less defined, more random influence.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "up to fate"?

Avoid using ""up to fate"" in situations where outcomes are directly influenced by personal actions or decisions. It's more fitting when discussing events outside one's immediate control.