Good luck is something we all hope for when we try new things. Sometimes, people use special phrases called idioms to talk about luck. Idioms are groups of words that have a meaning different from the words alone. They help make talking and writing more fun and interesting.
In this article, you will learn about 30 common idioms about good luck. These idioms show different ways people wish for or describe lucky moments. You will see how these phrases are used in simple sentences. By learning these idioms, you can understand and use them in your own speaking and writing.
Idioms about Good Luck
1. Break a leg
Meaning: A way to wish someone good luck, especially before a performance.
Samples: Before the school play, I told my friend, “Break a leg!” / Mom said, “Break a leg!” before my piano recital.
To Put it Another Way: I wished her good luck. / I hoped everything would go well.
2. Fingers crossed
Meaning: Hoping that something will happen the way you want.
Samples: I have fingers crossed that I do well on the test. / She kept her fingers crossed for sunny weather on field day.
To Put it Another Way: I am hoping for good luck. / I want things to turn out great.
3. Knock on wood
Meaning: Saying this while touching wood to stop bad luck.
Samples: I haven’t been sick all year, knock on wood. / He said “knock on wood” after saying his team would win.
To Put it Another Way: I’m trying to keep my good luck. / I want to avoid bad luck.
4. Lucky break
Meaning: A sudden chance to get something good.
Samples: Getting chosen for the team was a lucky break. / Finding a dollar on the ground was a lucky break for me.
To Put it Another Way: I had good luck. / Something good happened by chance.
5. On a roll
Meaning: Having a lot of success one after another.
Samples: After winning three games, our team was on a roll. / I was on a roll with my homework and finished early.
To Put it Another Way: Things kept going well. / I kept having good luck.
6. The luck of the draw
Meaning: Luck you get by chance, not by choice.
Samples: Who you sit with is the luck of the draw. / Getting that prize was just the luck of the draw.
To Put it Another Way: It was random luck. / It happened by chance.
7. In the right place at the right time
Meaning: Being lucky because you were somewhere when something good happened.
Samples: I was in the right place at the right time to find my lost puppy. / She was in the right place at the right time to hear the important news.
To Put it Another Way: I was lucky to be there. / Good things happened because of timing.
8. Touch base
Meaning: To check in or connect, sometimes for good luck or to get help.
Samples: I touched base with my teacher before the big test. / We touched base with the coach about the game plan.
To Put it Another Way: I talked with someone to help me. / I checked in for support.
9. Pot of gold
Meaning: Something very good or lucky that you find or get.
Samples: Winning the contest was like finding a pot of gold. / Getting the last cookie felt like a pot of gold.
To Put it Another Way: I found something very lucky. / I got a great prize.
10. Lady luck is smiling
Meaning: A way to say luck is with you right now.
Samples: Lady luck is smiling on me because I won the raffle. / She said lady luck is smiling after getting an A on the test.
To Put it Another Way: I’m very lucky now. / Good luck is with me.
11. A stroke of luck
Meaning: A small but lucky chance that helps you.
Samples: It was a stroke of luck that I found my lost keys. / Getting there early was a stroke of luck because I got a good seat.
To Put it Another Way: Something lucky happened. / I got lucky by chance.
12. To hit the jackpot
Meaning: To win or get something very good.
Samples: I hit the jackpot when I got the highest score. / She hit the jackpot with the free pizza at lunch.
To Put it Another Way: I won big. / I got something great.
13. Strike it lucky
Meaning: To suddenly find or get good luck.
Samples: He struck it lucky by finding a $5 bill on the sidewalk. / We struck it lucky when the game was canceled.
To Put it Another Way: Good luck came to me suddenly. / I was lucky all of a sudden.
14. Take a chance
Meaning: To try something even if it might not work, hoping for good luck.
Samples: I took a chance and tried out for the team. / She took a chance and asked for extra help.
To Put it Another Way: I tried even though it was risky. / I hoped for the best.
15. Born under a lucky star
Meaning: Someone who seems to have good luck often.
Samples: My cousin was born under a lucky star and always wins games. / She must be born under a lucky star because good things happen to her.
To Put it Another Way: They have a lot of luck. / Luck follows them.
16. Make your own luck
Meaning: To work hard so good luck happens.
Samples: I studied a lot to make my own luck on the test. / He practiced every day to make his own luck in sports.
To Put it Another Way: I helped myself succeed. / I worked to get good results.
17. Have the Midas touch
Meaning: To be very lucky and successful at everything.
Samples: She has the Midas touch and always wins at games. / Our team has the Midas touch this season.
To Put it Another Way: Everything they do turns out great. / They are lucky and good.
18. Lucky charm
Meaning: Something that brings good luck.
Samples: I carry my lucky charm to every game. / Her necklace is her lucky charm for good grades.
To Put it Another Way: It helps bring luck. / It is a special good luck item.
19. A blessing in disguise
Meaning: Something that seems bad but turns out good.
Samples: Missing the bus was a blessing in disguise because I met a new friend. / Losing the game was a blessing in disguise because we learned a lot.
To Put it Another Way: What seemed bad was actually good. / It turned out lucky.
20. Push your luck
Meaning: To keep trying when you should stop, risking bad luck.
Samples: I pushed my luck by asking for one more cookie. / Don’t push your luck or you might get in trouble.
To Put it Another Way: I tried too much. / I risked losing good luck.
21. Knock on wood
Meaning: (Repeated here to remind) To say this to stop bad luck after talking about something good.
Samples: I haven’t gotten sick all winter, knock on wood. / He knocked on wood after saying he might win.
To Put it Another Way: I hope my good luck stays.
22. Lucky streak
Meaning: A period of good luck that lasts.
Samples: She had a lucky streak and won three games in a row. / Our class had a lucky streak and got good grades on every test.
To Put it Another Way: Good luck happened many times. / I kept winning.
23. Out of the blue
Meaning: Something good that happens suddenly and without warning.
Samples: Out of the blue, I got a surprise gift. / The phone rang out of the blue with good news.
To Put it Another Way: It happened suddenly. / I was surprised by luck.
24. Safe bet
Meaning: Something very likely to happen or succeed.
Samples: Getting a good grade is a safe bet if you study. / It’s a safe bet we’ll have fun at the party.
To Put it Another Way: It will probably happen. / It is sure to be good.
25. Take luck in your hands
Meaning: To do something to try to get lucky.
Samples: I took luck in my hands and asked for help. / She took luck in her hands and entered the contest.
To Put it Another Way: I tried to make my own luck. / I acted to get lucky.
26. Luck runs out
Meaning: When good luck ends.
Samples: After many wins, our luck ran out in the last game. / He knew his luck would run out eventually.
To Put it Another Way: The good luck stopped. / It didn’t last forever.
27. The luck is on your side
Meaning: You are lucky right now.
Samples: The luck is on your side if you keep trying. / Today, the luck is on your side for the big race.
To Put it Another Way: You have good luck now. / Luck helps you.
28. Break your luck
Meaning: To end a period of good luck, usually by mistake.
Samples: Don’t break your luck by being careless. / She broke her luck by missing the bus.
To Put it Another Way: I lost my good luck. / Something stopped my luck.
29. Lucky star
Meaning: A star believed to bring luck to someone.
Samples: She always looks at her lucky star before a test. / I hope my lucky star shines bright today.
To Put it Another Way: Something that brings luck. / A sign of good luck.
30. Chance of a lifetime
Meaning: A very special lucky chance that might never come again.
Samples: Going to the big game was the chance of a lifetime. / She took the chance of a lifetime by auditioning for the show.
To Put it Another Way: A very rare lucky chance. / Something special that happens once.
Find the Idioms: Idioms about Good Luck
Last Friday was the big school talent show, and everyone was excited. Mia was nervous but told herself to break a leg. Her best friend Jake had his fingers crossed that Mia would do well. Before the show started, Mia said, “I hope Lady Luck is smiling on me tonight.”
When Mia went on stage, she felt like she was on a roll. After singing her song perfectly, she thought it was a stroke of luck that the microphone worked so well. Later, Jake told her she had a lucky charm in the form of her sparkling smile.
After the show, Mia said she was in the right place at the right time to get chosen for the school choir. Jake smiled and said, “You really did hit the jackpot tonight!”
Question: Can you underline or list all 8 idioms about good luck in the story?
Answer Key
- Break a leg
- Fingers crossed
- Lady luck is smiling
- On a roll
- Stroke of luck
- Lucky charm
- In the right place at the right time
- Hit the jackpot
Conclusion
Idioms about good luck help us talk about moments when things go well in a fun way. They make stories and conversations more interesting. By learning these idioms, you can better understand how people wish each other luck and describe lucky times. Using them also helps you sound confident and clear when talking about success or hope.
Remember, good luck can come from trying your best and sometimes from being in the right place at the right time. These idioms show that luck is part of many everyday moments.
