Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
borrow-trouble
idiom
/ˈbɔːroʊ ˈtrʌbəl/
Definition
To create unnecessary problems or difficulties for oneself, often by anticipating negative outcomes or worrying excessively.
Examples
- He tends to borrow trouble by stressing about things that may never happen.
- Don’t borrow trouble; focus on the positives in your life instead.
Meaning
The phrase ‘borrow-trouble’ suggests that a person takes on worries or concerns that are not currently present, thereby complicating their situation without any direct cause.
Synonyms
- worry unnecessarily
- create problems for oneself
- fret
