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Borrow trouble Meaning in English

expression

ˈbɑˌɹoʊ/ /ˈtɹəbəɫ
BAH-roh TRUH-buhl
bˈɒɹəʊ/ /tɹˈʌbəl
bo-ROH TRUB-uhl

Definition

To worry about problems that have not happened yet, often unnecessarily; to make things harder for yourself by imagining troubles that may never come.

Usage & Nuances

This idiom is informal and used to warn against unnecessary worry or stress. Common collocations: 'don't borrow trouble', 'you're borrowing trouble'. Often said as advice to people overthinking or worrying about unlikely scenarios.

Example Sentences

Don't borrow trouble before anything actually happens.

basic

You're just borrowing trouble by thinking about what could go wrong.

basic

Try not to borrow trouble by worrying about tomorrow.

basic

If you keep imagining every possible problem, you're just borrowing trouble.

natural

"Stop borrowing trouble, it'll ruin your mood," he told me.

natural

She tends to borrow trouble when she doesn't have enough to do.

natural