Idioms are lively, figurative expressions that infuse conversations with hope, encouragement, and optimism, especially when wishing someone success or fortune in their endeavors. In this spirited listicle, we’ll explore 53 idioms related to good luck, unpacking their meanings and showcasing how they can add warmth, cheer, or superstition to discussions about upcoming challenges, opportunities, or ventures. Whether you’re rooting for a friend’s big moment or hoping for a stroke of fortune yourself, these idioms will help you express wishes for good luck with creativity and charm. Let’s dive into this fortunate collection, break down each idiom, and discover how they can make your conversations about luck as vibrant as a four-leaf clover.
What is an Idiom for Good Luck?
Idioms for good luck are metaphorical phrases that use colorful imagery or cultural references to wish for success, prosperity, or favorable outcomes in various situations. These idioms make conversations about luck more engaging, heartfelt, and expressive, turning simple well-wishes into memorable, poetic blessings. Below, we’ll explore each idiom, provide its meaning, and illustrate its use with a long sentence that captures its essence in the context of wishing for good luck.
Idioms for Good Luck
1. Break a Leg
Meaning: To wish someone good luck, especially before a performance.
In a Sentence: As Sarah stepped onto the stage for her debut performance, her friends whispered, “Break a leg!” hoping their heartfelt wish would carry her through a flawless and applauded show.
2. Fingers Crossed
Meaning: A gesture or phrase to wish for good luck.
In a Sentence: Ethan kept his fingers crossed as he awaited the job interview results, hoping that his nervous anticipation would be rewarded with a call offering him the dream position.
3. Knock on Wood
Meaning: To ward off bad luck and ensure good fortune continues.
In a Sentence: Mia knocked on wood after boasting about her perfect project streak, superstitiously ensuring that her run of good luck wouldn’t jinx her next big presentation.
4. Good Luck Charm
Meaning: An object believed to bring good fortune.
In a Sentence: Zoe clutched her grandmother’s locket, her trusted good luck charm, as she entered the exam hall, believing its presence would guide her to ace the tough questions.
5. Lady Luck
Meaning: A personification of luck as a benevolent force.
In a Sentence: Lucas hoped Lady Luck would smile on him during the poker tournament, trusting that her favor would guide his cards to a winning hand in the high-stakes game.
6. Wish You Luck
Meaning: A direct expression of hoping for someone’s success.
In a Sentence: Emma’s teammates wished her luck before the championship race, their collective encouragement fueling her determination to sprint across the finish line first.
7. Stroke of Luck
Meaning: A sudden, unexpected piece of good fortune.
In a Sentence: Sarah experienced a stroke of luck when she found the perfect apartment just as she needed to move, its affordability and location feeling like a gift from fate.
8. Luck of the Draw
Meaning: Success or failure due to random chance.
In a Sentence: Ethan knew the raffle was the luck of the draw, but he still hoped his ticket would be the one pulled from the hat, granting him the grand prize vacation.
9. Born Under a Lucky Star
Meaning: Naturally fortunate or destined for good luck.
In a Sentence: Mia seemed born under a lucky star, her effortless knack for landing opportunities and dodging mishaps leaving her friends in awe of her charmed life.
10. The Luck of the Irish
Meaning: Exceptional good fortune, often associated with Irish heritage.
In a Sentence: Zoe attributed her unexpected lottery win to the luck of the Irish, joking that her distant Celtic roots must have sprinkled some magic on her ticket.
11. In the Lap of the Gods
Meaning: Outcome dependent on fate or luck.
In a Sentence: Lucas left his audition in the lap of the gods, trusting that his best effort and a bit of luck would secure him the lead role in the upcoming play.
12. Get Lucky
Meaning: To experience a fortunate outcome by chance.
In a Sentence: Emma hoped to get lucky with her last-minute flight booking, praying that a cancellation would open up a seat for her to make it to her sister’s wedding on time.
13. Lucky Break
Meaning: A fortunate opportunity or event.
In a Sentence: Sarah got a lucky break when a famous author noticed her blog, offering to mentor her and catapulting her writing career to heights she’d only dreamed of.
14. Roll the Dice
Meaning: To take a chance and hope for good luck.
In a Sentence: Ethan decided to roll the dice and apply for the overseas job, hoping his bold move would pay off with an adventure-filled career and new opportunities.
15. Pot of Gold
Meaning: A symbol of great fortune or reward.
In a Sentence: Mia chased her startup idea like a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow, believing her hard work and a touch of luck would lead to entrepreneurial success.
16. Charm the Pants Off
Meaning: To win favor or luck through charisma.
In a Sentence: Zoe charmed the pants off the judges with her witty speech, hoping her charisma would tip the scales of luck in her favor to win the debate competition.
17. Golden Opportunity
Meaning: A rare and fortunate chance for success.
In a Sentence: Lucas seized the golden opportunity to pitch his idea to the CEO, trusting that luck and preparation would make this moment the start of his corporate rise.
18. Horseshoe Luck
Meaning: Good fortune associated with the lucky horseshoe symbol.
In a Sentence: Emma hung a horseshoe above her door for horseshoe luck, hoping its traditional power would bless her new home with prosperity and happy times.
19. Rabbit’s Foot
Meaning: A talisman believed to bring good luck.
In a Sentence: Sarah carried a rabbit’s foot keychain to her final exam, superstitiously believing its luck would help her recall every answer under the pressure of the clock.
20. Four-Leaf Clover
Meaning: A rare symbol of good luck.
In a Sentence: Ethan found a four-leaf clover in the park before his big game, tucking it into his pocket with the hope it would bring victory to his team’s efforts.
21. Touch Wood
Meaning: A gesture to avoid jinxing good fortune.
In a Sentence: Mia touched wood after saying her business was thriving, a quick tap on the table to ensure her streak of good luck wouldn’t be disrupted by careless words.
22. Lucky Streak
Meaning: A period of continuous good fortune.
In a Sentence: Zoe was on a lucky streak, winning every raffle at the fair and hoping her run of good fortune would continue through her upcoming job interview.
23. Catch a Break
Meaning: To receive a fortunate opportunity or relief.
In a Sentence: Lucas prayed to catch a break when his car broke down, relieved when a kind stranger offered a ride, turning a stressful day into a moment of unexpected luck.
24. Have the Midas Touch
Meaning: To be consistently successful or lucky in endeavors.
In a Sentence: Emma seemed to have the Midas touch, every project she tackled turning to gold, from her thriving bakery to her award-winning community garden initiative.
25. Stars Align
Meaning: When circumstances come together perfectly for success.
In a Sentence: Sarah felt the stars align when her dream job opened up just as she finished her degree, a stroke of luck that made her career path feel destined.
26. Best of Luck
Meaning: A heartfelt wish for someone’s success.
In a Sentence: Ethan’s family sent him off with the best of luck for his marathon, their warm encouragement giving him the confidence to push through every grueling mile.
27. Fortunate Son
Meaning: Someone blessed with consistent good luck.
In a Sentence: Mia’s brother was a fortunate son, always stumbling into opportunities like scholarships and promotions that seemed to fall into his lap with uncanny ease.
28. Lucky Duck
Meaning: A playful term for someone who is fortunate.
In a Sentence: Zoe called her friend a lucky duck after he won concert tickets, teasing him about his knack for being in the right place at the right time for amazing surprises.
29. Win the Lottery
Meaning: To experience an extremely fortunate outcome.
In a Sentence: Lucas felt like he’d won the lottery when his long-shot application to an elite program was accepted, opening doors he’d only dreamed of exploring.
30. Hit the Jackpot
Meaning: To achieve a major success or stroke of luck.
In a Sentence: Emma hit the jackpot when her small Etsy shop went viral, orders flooding in and turning her hobby into a thriving business practically overnight.
31. Serendipity
Meaning: Finding something valuable or lucky by happy accident.
In a Sentence: Sarah’s serendipity led her to meet her future business partner at a random coffee shop, a chance encounter that sparked a venture destined for success.
32. Blessed
Meaning: Favored by luck or divine fortune.
In a Sentence: Ethan felt blessed when he narrowly escaped a car accident, his heart racing with gratitude as he realized luck had kept him safe in that critical moment.
33. Lucky Penny
Meaning: A coin believed to bring good fortune if found.
In a Sentence: Mia picked up a lucky penny on her way to the interview, slipping it into her pocket with a smile, hoping its small charm would tip the odds in her favor.
34. On a Roll
Meaning: Experiencing a series of successful or lucky events.
In a Sentence: Zoe was on a roll, acing her exams and winning a scholarship, her streak of good luck making her feel unstoppable as she pursued her academic dreams.
35. Fortune Smiles
Meaning: Luck or good fortune favors someone.
In a Sentence: Lucas felt fortune smile upon him when his lost wallet was returned with all its contents, a rare stroke of luck that restored his faith in humanity.
36. Green Light
Meaning: A signal of approval or good luck to proceed.
In a Sentence: Emma got the green light for her project proposal, her excitement soaring as she realized luck and hard work had aligned to launch her vision into reality.
37. Golden Touch
Meaning: The ability to succeed or bring luck to endeavors.
In a Sentence: Sarah’s golden touch turned every event she planned into a success, her knack for perfection and a sprinkle of luck making her the go-to organizer in town.
38. Windfall
Meaning: An unexpected gain or piece of good fortune.
In a Sentence: Ethan received a windfall when an old investment suddenly paid off, the unexpected cash giving him the freedom to pursue his dream of traveling the world.
39. Cloverleaf Luck
Meaning: Good fortune associated with the clover symbol.
In a Sentence: Mia wore a cloverleaf pendant for cloverleaf luck during her driving test, hoping its charm would steady her nerves and help her pass with flying colors.
40. Lucky Star
Meaning: A symbol of guidance or good fortune.
In a Sentence: Zoe gazed at the night sky, thanking her lucky star for guiding her through a tough year, each twinkling light a reminder of the fortune that had carried her forward.
41. Chance of a Lifetime
Meaning: A rare, fortunate opportunity.
In a Sentence: Lucas saw the scholarship as the chance of a lifetime, praying luck would favor his application and open the door to an education he’d always dreamed of.
42. Fall into Your Lap
Meaning: To receive good fortune effortlessly.
In a Sentence: Emma couldn’t believe a perfect job offer fell into her lap, the unexpected call from a recruiter feeling like a stroke of luck she hadn’t dared hope for.
43. Lucky Devil
Meaning: A playful term for someone unusually fortunate.
In a Sentence: Sarah called her brother a lucky devil when he found a rare collectible at a flea market, his knack for stumbling into treasures sparking envy and laughter.
44. All the Best
Meaning: A warm wish for success and good luck.
In a Sentence: Ethan’s mentor sent him off with all the best for his startup pitch, the sincere words boosting his confidence as he prepared to impress potential investors.
45. Make Your Own Luck
Meaning: To create fortunate outcomes through effort and opportunity.
In a Sentence: Mia believed she could make her own luck by networking tirelessly, her hard work paying off when a chance meeting led to a breakthrough in her career.
46. Lucky Horseshoe
Meaning: A traditional symbol of good fortune.
In a Sentence: Zoe nailed a lucky horseshoe above her shop’s entrance, hoping its legendary power would bring prosperity and success to her new business venture.
47. Stroke of Fortune
Meaning: A sudden, fortunate event or opportunity.
In a Sentence: Lucas experienced a stroke of fortune when a canceled flight led to a free upgrade, turning a travel hassle into a luxurious journey he’d never forget.
48. Wish Upon a Star
Meaning: To make a hopeful wish for good luck.
In a Sentence: Emma wished upon a star the night before her big exam, her quiet hope for luck mingling with the twinkling sky as she dreamed of acing the test.
49. Lucky Charm
Meaning: An object or person believed to bring good fortune.
In a Sentence: Sarah carried her childhood teddy bear as a lucky charm to her audition, its familiar presence calming her nerves and helping her deliver a stellar performance.
50. Fortuna’s Favor
Meaning: Luck bestowed by the goddess of fortune.
In a Sentence: Ethan felt Fortuna’s favor when his last-minute bid won a rare auction item, the unexpected victory making him feel like fate had singled him out for luck.
51. Turn of Luck
Meaning: A change or moment of good fortune.
In a Sentence: Mia’s turn of luck came when a stranger returned her lost phone, the kind act restoring her faith and giving her hope for more fortunate days ahead.
52. Good Fortune
Meaning: General luck or prosperity.
In a Sentence: Zoe prayed for good fortune as she launched her art gallery, hoping luck would draw crowds to her exhibits and make her dream a thriving reality.
53. Break the Bank
Meaning: To achieve great success or luck, often financially.
In a Sentence: Lucas hoped to break the bank with his new app, dreaming that a stroke of luck and his innovative design would lead to a windfall of downloads and profits.
Quizzes About The Idioms in The Article
Quiz 1: Break a Leg
What does the idiom “Break a leg” mean?
a) To wish someone bad luck
b) To wish someone good luck
c) To encourage someone to fail
d) To stop a performance
Quiz 2: Fingers Crossed
What is the meaning of “Fingers crossed”?
a) A gesture to wish for good luck
b) A sign of frustration
c) A warning of danger
d) A request to stop
Quiz 3: Knock on Wood
When someone says, “Knock on wood,” what are they doing?
a) Inviting bad luck
b) Warding off bad luck
c) Celebrating success
d) Ignoring chance
Quiz 4: Good Luck Charm
What does the idiom “Good luck charm” suggest?
a) An object that brings bad fortune
b) An object believed to bring good fortune
c) A useless trinket
d) A heavy burden
Quiz 5: Lady Luck
What situation is described by the idiom “Lady Luck”?
a) A personification of bad luck
b) A personification of good luck
c) A literal woman
d) A guaranteed failure
Quiz 6: Stroke of Luck
If something is a “stroke of luck,” what does it mean?
a) A planned success
b) A sudden, unexpected piece of good fortune
c) A deliberate action
d) A moment of failure
Quiz 7: Luck of the Draw
What does the expression “Luck of the draw” imply?
a) Success due to hard work
b) Success or failure due to random chance
c) A guaranteed win
d) A planned outcome
Quiz 8: Born Under a Lucky Star
When is it appropriate to say, “Born under a lucky star”?
a) When someone is unlucky
b) When someone is naturally fortunate
c) When someone works hard
d) When someone fails
Quiz 9: Hit the Jackpot
What is the meaning of “Hit the jackpot”?
a) To fail miserably
b) To achieve a major success or stroke of luck
c) To lose money
d) To avoid risk
Quiz 10: Wish Upon a Star
When someone says, “Wish upon a star,” what are they referring to?
a) Making a wish for bad luck
b) Making a hopeful wish for good luck
c) Planning a strategy
d) Ignoring opportunities
Answers:
- b
- a
- b
- b
- b
- b
- b
- b
- b
- b
Conclusion
Idioms for good luck are like verbal talismans, weaving hope, superstition, and encouragement into conversations about success and fortune with vivid imagery and heartfelt sentiment. By incorporating these 53 expressions into your well-wishes, you can cheer on friends, inspire confidence, or invoke a bit of magic for life’s big moments. So, the next time you’re wishing someone success or hoping for a fortunate outcome, let these idioms add a sprinkle of charm and optimism to your words.