decide your fate

Meanings

1. 1phraseidiom

   To make a choice or take an action that determines what will happen to you.

   Grammar: Used with a possessive word before 'fate': decide my/your/his fate.

   Patterns

   • decide someone's fate
   • decide your own fate
   • let someone decide your fate

   The judge's ruling will decide his fate.

   By signing the contract, she decided her own fate.

   Don't let a coin toss decide your fate.

2. 2phraseidiomhumorous

   Used humorously when a small choice seems hugely important at the moment.

   Grammar: Often said lightly, with 'fate' exaggerated for effect.

   Patterns

   • decide the fate of something

   One more vote will decide the fate of the office coffee machine.

   The last slice of cake will decide my fate for the afternoon.

Common combinations

decide someone's fate

The committee will decide the fate of the old theater.

seal someone's fate

That missed penalty sealed their fate.

leave something to fate

He left his future to fate and bought a lottery ticket.

a twist of fate

By a twist of fate, they met again years later.

Synonyms and how they differ

determine

More formal and neutral; it stresses cause and result rather than a personal choice.

settle

Suggests bringing something to a final decision after doubt or argument.

Word family

fate noun

The power or plan that controls what happens; also a person's future.

fateful adjective

Having an important, usually bad, effect on the future.

fated adjective

Certain to happen because it was decided in advance.

Commonly confused: decide your fate or destiny?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “decide your fate”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words