Idioms are fun and creative expressions that can make conversations about good fortune more colorful and memorable.
In this listicle, we’ll explore idioms related to good luck and uncover the fascinating ways people express hope, blessings, and positive energy through language. So, let’s dive into this collection of idioms, break them down, and understand how they can add a touch of charm to your daily conversations.
What is an Idiom for Good Luck?
Idioms for good luck are playful and figurative phrases that people use to wish someone well, express confidence, or talk about fortunate outcomes. They’re often used in situations like exams, performances, interviews, or even gambling and sports.
These idioms can make your conversations feel more sincere and imaginative. Let’s explore each idiom and see how it’s used:
Idioms for Good Luck
1. Break a Leg
Meaning: To wish someone success or good fortune, especially before a performance or important event.
In a Sentence: Right before I walked on stage for the school play, my friend grinned and whispered, “Break a leg!” to wish me luck.
2. Knock on Wood
Meaning: Said to prevent bad luck or to keep good luck from leaving after mentioning it.
In a Sentence: I’ve never been late to class this year—knock on wood—because I really want to keep that streak alive.
3. Luck of the Draw
Meaning: Success or failure determined purely by chance or luck.
In a Sentence: Whether you get an easy topic or a tough one during the debate round is just the luck of the draw.
4. Fingers Crossed
Meaning: A gesture or phrase to wish for good luck or hope that things go well.
In a Sentence: I submitted my college application last night, and now I’ve got my fingers crossed hoping for good news.
5. Lucky Break
Meaning: An unexpected opportunity or stroke of good luck that leads to success.
In a Sentence: Landing a scholarship the same week my job ended felt like a lucky break I never saw coming.
6. Hit the Jackpot
Meaning: To have a big success or achieve something very fortunate.
In a Sentence: I felt like I hit the jackpot when I found a rare comic book for just five dollars at the flea market.
7. Born Under a Lucky Star
Meaning: Said about someone who seems to have unusually good fortune in life.
In a Sentence: She always finds front-row parking spots and wins raffles—I swear she was born under a lucky star.
8. Third Time’s a Charm
Meaning: The belief that the third attempt at something will be successful.
In a Sentence: After two failed interviews, I finally got the job on my third try—guess the third time really is a charm.
9. Just My Luck
Meaning: A sarcastic way to say that something unlucky has happened to you.
In a Sentence: I studied all night for math, but the test was in history—just my luck to mix up the schedule.
10. Luck Be a Lady
Meaning: A classic phrase suggesting that luck should favor you, especially in risky situations.
In a Sentence: As we approached the final round of trivia night, I whispered, “Luck be a lady,” and hoped for the best.
11. Touch Wood
Meaning: A British version of “knock on wood,” used to avoid tempting fate or jinxing something.
In a Sentence: I haven’t caught a cold all winter—touch wood—because I’ve been trying to stay extra healthy.
12. Riding Your Luck
Meaning: To continue benefiting from good fortune, even when the odds are against you.
In a Sentence: He passed every quiz without studying; it’s like he’s riding his luck and hoping it never runs out.
13. Pot of Gold
Meaning: A symbol of great reward, fortune, or unexpected success.
In a Sentence: Winning that national contest felt like finding a pot of gold at the end of a long, winding rainbow.
14. Stars Aligned
Meaning: Everything is perfectly in place for success or good fortune to happen.
In a Sentence: I got the internship, found an apartment, and made friends on day one—it was like the stars aligned for me.
15. Stroke of Luck
Meaning: A sudden, unexpected instance of good fortune.
In a Sentence: It was a stroke of luck that I happened to check my email five minutes before the contest deadline ended.
16. With Bells On
Meaning: To arrive happily, eagerly, and with good energy, often bringing good vibes with you.
In a Sentence: She showed up for her audition with bells on, confident and ready to impress the judges.
17. Have a Lucky Streak
Meaning: A period where several fortunate things happen in a row.
In a Sentence: After winning three scratch cards in one week, I knew I was on a lucky streak and didn’t want it to end.
18. Fortune Smiles On You
Meaning: Used to say that luck or fate is treating you kindly.
In a Sentence: The timing couldn’t have been more perfect—fortune really smiled on us during the event.
19. In Clover
Meaning: Living comfortably or enjoying wealth and good fortune.
In a Sentence: After her business took off, she was living in clover and finally taking vacations she used to only dream about.
20. The Gods Are Smiling
Meaning: A poetic way to say that fate or divine forces are bringing you good luck.
In a Sentence: The sun came out just as the wedding began—it felt like the gods were smiling on their special day.
21. Windfall
Meaning: A sudden, unexpected gain, usually money or a lucky opportunity.
In a Sentence: Finding that $50 bill in an old jacket pocket was the kind of windfall that made my whole day better.
22. Lady Luck
Meaning: A personification of luck, often imagined as a woman who brings fortune or misfortune.
In a Sentence: I kept spinning the prize wheel, hoping Lady Luck would be on my side this time.
23. A Rabbit’s Foot
Meaning: A traditional good-luck charm carried to bring fortune.
In a Sentence: He always carries a rabbit’s foot in his backpack during finals week for that extra boost of luck.
24. Cross That Bridge When You Come to It
Meaning: Don’t worry about a possible problem until it actually happens.
In a Sentence: I’m not stressing about the interview yet—I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it and focus on preparing first.
25. Blow on the Dice
Meaning: A superstitious action people do before rolling dice, believing it brings good luck.
In a Sentence: Before rolling for the board game’s final turn, he dramatically blew on the dice, hoping for a lucky number.
26. The Cards Are in Your Favor
Meaning: The situation is going your way; you’re likely to succeed.
In a Sentence: With her skills and confidence, it seems like the cards are in her favor for the upcoming competition.
27. Luck Runs Out
Meaning: Used when someone’s fortunate streak ends.
In a Sentence: He’d been winning every round, but his luck ran out when he picked the wrong answer in the final quiz.
28. Luck Is on Your Side
Meaning: Things are working out well for you; you’re having a fortunate moment.
In a Sentence: Getting the last ticket and running into an old friend? Today, luck is definitely on your side.
29. A Lucky Charm
Meaning: An object or person believed to bring good fortune.
In a Sentence: She always wears her grandmother’s necklace to big events because it’s her lucky charm.
30. A Stroke of Fortune
Meaning: A fortunate event or development, especially one that changes things dramatically.
In a Sentence: Getting called for the interview just hours after applying was a true stroke of fortune.
31. Catch a Lucky Break
Meaning: To experience a sudden positive opportunity after a period of difficulty.
In a Sentence: After months of searching, catching that lucky break with a job offer changed everything for him.
32. Make Your Own Luck
Meaning: To create your own opportunities for success through action or preparation.
In a Sentence: She believes that hard work helps you make your own luck, especially when chasing big dreams.
33. Run of Good Luck
Meaning: A period of continued good fortune.
In a Sentence: With every door opening lately, it feels like I’m having a run of good luck I don’t want to end.
34. Carrying a Horseshoe
Meaning: Symbolizes carrying good luck, based on the superstition about horseshoes bringing fortune.
In a Sentence: He joked that she must be carrying a horseshoe after winning two raffles in one night.
35. Counting Your Lucky Stars
Meaning: To be very thankful for good luck or a fortunate situation.
In a Sentence: After narrowly avoiding the car accident, she spent the whole day counting her lucky stars.
36. Stroke of Serendipity
Meaning: A fortunate discovery made by accident.
In a Sentence: Finding that book at the library was a stroke of serendipity—it answered every question I had.
37. A Lucky Dog
Meaning: A playful phrase to describe someone who is especially fortunate.
In a Sentence: He got front-row seats for free—what a lucky dog!
38. Green Light from the Universe
Meaning: A symbolic sign that everything is going smoothly and you’re on the right path.
In a Sentence: Getting the scholarship and the internship at the same time felt like a green light from the universe.
39. Have the Midas Touch
Meaning: Everything you do turns out successful or profitable.
In a Sentence: She has the Midas touch—every project she leads turns into something amazing.
40. Draw the Long Straw
Meaning: To be selected for something positive or to receive the best option.
In a Sentence: When teams were randomly assigned, I drew the long straw and got placed with my best friends.
41. Stars in Your Favor
Meaning: A poetic way to say fate is working for you.
In a Sentence: With the timing and all the support she had, it felt like the stars were in her favor.
42. Hit the Right Note
Meaning: To succeed in exactly the right way.
In a Sentence: His speech hit the right note, impressing the judges and winning him the top prize.
43. Ace in the Hole
Meaning: A secret or hidden advantage that ensures success.
In a Sentence: She kept her experience quiet during the interview, using it as her ace in the hole when it mattered most.
44. Charm Your Way In
Meaning: To succeed using personal appeal or charisma.
In a Sentence: He charmed his way into the exclusive club, making everyone smile as soon as he walked in.
45. Lightning Strikes Twice
Meaning: An unlikely stroke of good fortune happening more than once.
In a Sentence: Winning two national competitions in one year? That’s lightning striking twice!
46. A Feather in Your Cap
Meaning: A great achievement or something to be proud of.
In a Sentence: Being chosen as valedictorian was a real feather in her cap after years of hard work.
47. Right Place, Right Time
Meaning: A fortunate coincidence of being in a good situation purely due to timing.
In a Sentence: I was at the right place at the right time when the film crew asked if I wanted to be in the background.
Quizzes About The Idioms in The Article
Quiz 1: Knock on Wood
What does the idiom “Knock on wood” mean?
a) To tap on a desk to call attention
b) To ensure continued good luck or avoid bad luck
c) To ask for something loudly
d) To break a tradition
Quiz 2: Third Time’s a Charm
What is the meaning of “Third time’s a charm”?
a) You must try three times for a reward
b) The third attempt is believed to succeed
c) It means you have to quit after failing
d) You should avoid repeating tasks
Quiz 3: Hit the Jackpot
When someone says they “hit the jackpot,” what do they mean?
a) They got into trouble
b) They won a lottery or got lucky
c) They lost all their chances
d) They received a punishment
Quiz 4: Lucky Break
What does the idiom “Lucky break” refer to?
a) A short nap during exams
b) A planned success
c) An unexpected moment of good fortune
d) A vacation from work
Quiz 5: Born Under a Lucky Star
What is implied if someone is “born under a lucky star”?
a) They are always unlucky
b) They have constant good fortune
c) They like astronomy
d) They rely only on science
Quiz 6: Just My Luck
What does “Just my luck” usually express?
a) That something unlucky has happened
b) That luck is always on your side
c) That you’re winning everything
d) That you’re having a great day
Quiz 7: Stars Aligned
What situation does “Stars aligned” describe?
a) A planet is visible
b) All conditions are perfect for success
c) A bad coincidence
d) Someone went stargazing
Quiz 8: Make Your Own Luck
What does it mean to “Make your own luck”?
a) To depend on chance
b) To cheat in a game
c) To work hard and create opportunity
d) To copy someone successful
Quiz 9: Count Your Lucky Stars
Why would someone “count their lucky stars”?
a) To track time
b) To appreciate their good fortune
c) To feel sad
d) To plan travel
Quiz 10: Lightning Strikes Twice
What does “Lightning strikes twice” suggest?
a) A storm is coming
b) A rare event happens again
c) Luck ends after one event
d) Something bad happens quickly
Answers:
- b
- b
- b
- c
- b
- a
- b
- c
- b
- b
Conclusion
Idioms for good luck add charm and creativity to our everyday conversations. Whether you’re preparing for a big moment, cheering on a friend, or simply reflecting on your own good fortune, these expressions offer a colorful way to capture the hope and excitement we all feel when luck is on our side.
So the next time you want to wish someone well or talk about a fortunate event, try using one of these idioms—you might just find they bring a little luck of their own.