25 Idioms About Good Luck

Good luck is often a key element in achieving success, and in the English language, we have a variety of idioms that express well wishes, hope, and the randomness of fortune. Whether you’re wishing someone well before a big test, a job interview, or a new adventure, these idioms can help convey your sentiments in a colorful, creative way.

In this article, we’ll explore 25 idioms about good luck, each one reflecting different aspects of fortune and success. From classic phrases like “break a leg” to the more whimsical “knock on wood”, these idioms offer a fun and relatable way to express good luck in a variety of situations.

1. Break a leg

Meaning: A way to wish someone good luck, especially before a performance or important event
In a Sentence:
– “You’ve worked so hard for this audition—break a leg!”
– “The director wished all the actors to break a leg before the show began.”
Other Ways to Say: Good luck / Wishing success

2. Knock on wood

Meaning: A phrase used to ward off bad luck and ensure continued good fortune
In a Sentence:
– “I’ve had a great year so far, knock on wood!”
– “Everything is going smoothly with the project, but knock on wood that it stays that way.”
Other Ways to Say: Hope for the best / Wishing for continued luck

3. Fingers crossed

Meaning: A gesture or phrase expressing hope that things will turn out well
In a Sentence:
– “I’ve submitted my application; now fingers crossed for good news!”
– “Fingers crossed that the weather holds up for the weekend.”
Other Ways to Say: Hope for the best / Wishing good fortune

4. Good fortune smiles upon you

Meaning: A way of saying that someone is blessed with good luck or positive outcomes
In a Sentence:
– “May good fortune smile upon you as you embark on this new journey.”
– “I hope good fortune smiles upon you during your interview today.”
Other Ways to Say: May luck be with you / Wishing you success

5. Hit the jackpot

Meaning: To experience a sudden and unexpected stroke of good luck, often involving a large reward or success
In a Sentence:
– “He hit the jackpot with his new startup, making millions within the first year.”
– “If you find that vintage comic book, you’ll hit the jackpot!”
Other Ways to Say: Strike it rich / Come into good luck

6. A stroke of luck

Meaning: A sudden, unexpected event that brings good fortune
In a Sentence:
– “Winning the raffle was a real stroke of luck!”
– “It was a stroke of luck that we found the perfect venue just in time.”
Other Ways to Say: A lucky break / Unexpected fortune

7. Luck of the draw

Meaning: The random or chance outcome of a situation, often used when the result is out of one’s control
In a Sentence:
– “Getting the front row seats was just the luck of the draw.”
– “He didn’t get the job, but it’s all about the luck of the draw in these interviews.”
Other Ways to Say: Random chance / Unpredictable fate

8. A lucky break

Meaning: A fortunate or beneficial opportunity that unexpectedly comes your way
In a Sentence:
– “That promotion was a lucky break for him, just when he needed it most.”
– “She had a lucky break when she met the right person at the right time.”
Other Ways to Say: Fortuitous opportunity / Serendipity

9. A feather in your cap

Meaning: An achievement or success that brings honor or recognition, often through good fortune
In a Sentence:
– “Winning that award was a real feather in your cap!”
– “Getting the project finished ahead of schedule was a feather in his cap.”
Other Ways to Say: A notable achievement / A proud moment

10. Everything’s coming up roses

Meaning: When everything is going very well or according to plan, often with a streak of good luck
In a Sentence:
– “Since the merger, everything’s been coming up roses for the company.”
– “She’s had a great year—everything’s coming up roses.”
Other Ways to Say: Everything is going well / Things are looking up

11. In the cards

Meaning: Something that is likely to happen or destined to occur, often referring to good luck or fate
In a Sentence:
– “It looks like the promotion is in the cards for you—everything is falling into place.”
– “He didn’t expect to win, but it was in the cards for him that day.”
Other Ways to Say: Destined / Meant to be

12. By the luck of the draw

Meaning: To win or succeed because of chance, fate, or randomness
In a Sentence:
– “I got the best seat by the luck of the draw; there was no planning involved.”
– “She won the competition, but it was really just by the luck of the draw.”
Other Ways to Say: Random chance / Fortune’s favor

13. Strike gold

Meaning: To find something valuable or to experience a great success, often by luck
In a Sentence:
– “The team really struck gold with that idea—it’s taken off beyond expectations.”
– “She struck gold when she discovered that antique painting.”
Other Ways to Say: Find treasure / Hit a major success

14. Like winning the lottery

Meaning: An event or outcome that brings extraordinary luck or a highly fortunate situation
In a Sentence:
– “Getting the offer letter felt like winning the lottery—such a huge surprise!”
– “Finding this rare vintage car was like winning the lottery!”
Other Ways to Say: Like hitting the jackpot / A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity

15. A stroke of good luck

Meaning: A sudden, unexpected piece of fortune that improves a situation
In a Sentence:
– “The sunny weather on our wedding day was a stroke of good luck.”
– “It was a stroke of good luck when they found the missing documents just in time.”
Other Ways to Say: Unexpected fortune / A lucky moment

16. Blessing in disguise

Meaning: Something that initially seems bad or unlucky, but turns out to bring good fortune or benefits
In a Sentence:
– “Losing that job was a blessing in disguise—it pushed me to pursue a career I actually love.”
– “The flat tire was a blessing in disguise—it gave us extra time to relax and enjoy the scenery.”
Other Ways to Say: Hidden benefit / Unexpected positive outcome

17. Fortune favors the bold

Meaning: Those who take risks or act bravely are often rewarded with good luck or success
In a Sentence:
– “He decided to move to a new city to pursue his dreams—fortune favors the bold!”
– “It’s a big risk to start your own business, but remember, fortune favors the bold.”
Other Ways to Say: Luck rewards bravery / Take chances and succeed

18. The stars align

Meaning: When things fall into place perfectly, often by chance or good fortune
In a Sentence:
– “It feels like the stars align whenever we work together—it’s always a success.”
– “The stars aligned for us, and we were able to get the deal signed just before the deadline.”
Other Ways to Say: Everything falls into place / Perfect timing

19. A lucky charm

Meaning: An object or person that is believed to bring good luck
In a Sentence:
– “She’s my lucky charm; ever since we started working together, everything’s gone right.”
– “I always carry my grandmother’s necklace; it’s my lucky charm for good fortune.”
Other Ways to Say: Good luck symbol / A source of luck

20. Luck be with you

Meaning: A phrase used to wish someone good luck, often in a challenging situation
In a Sentence:
– “Good luck with your interview—luck be with you!”
– “I hope everything goes well with your presentation. Luck be with you!”
Other Ways to Say: Wishing you good fortune / Best of luck

21. A lucky day

Meaning: A day where unexpected good fortune happens, often with a series of positive events
In a Sentence:
– “Today feels like a lucky day—I found a $20 bill on the street and got the job offer!”
– “He hit a lucky streak, and it turned out to be a lucky day when he won both prizes in the contest.”
Other Ways to Say: A day of fortune / A fortunate day

22. A twist of fate

Meaning: A surprising or unexpected turn of events, often leading to something fortunate
In a Sentence:
– “It was a twist of fate that I ran into her at the café—she’s now my best friend.”
– “The job opportunity came through a twist of fate, at the right time and in the right place.”
Other Ways to Say: A chance encounter / An unexpected turn

23. In the right place at the right time

Meaning: To experience good luck by being in the right situation or location when something beneficial happens
In a Sentence:
– “She was in the right place at the right time when the company was looking for a new marketing director.”
– “Sometimes success is just being in the right place at the right time, like meeting the right person for a business deal.”
Other Ways to Say: Perfect timing / Fortuitous moment

24. Hit the nail on the head

Meaning: To achieve something perfectly or correctly, often by chance or luck
In a Sentence:
– “You really hit the nail on the head with your idea—it’s exactly what the project needed.”
– “He hit the nail on the head when he suggested the new approach, and it turned out to be just what we needed.”
Other Ways to Say: Perfect decision / Spot-on idea

25. A stroke of genius

Meaning: A sudden, brilliant idea or lucky inspiration that leads to success or good results
In a Sentence:
– “Her idea to market the product in a new way was a stroke of genius and brought in so many customers.”
– “It was a stroke of genius to change the strategy, and it paid off.”
Other Ways to Say: Brilliant idea / Moment of brilliance

Practice Exercise

Fill in the blanks using the correct idiom from the list:

1. After hearing about the job offer, he felt like __________.
2. The team’s victory was a result of __________, everything aligning perfectly.
3. She always carries her grandmother’s lucky charm, believing it brings her __________.
4. Getting the last ticket for the concert was a real __________.
5. I didn’t think I’d win the lottery, but it was __________ when I did!
6. His breakthrough idea was __________, changing everything for the company.
7. The surprise promotion came to her as __________, just when she needed it most.
8. She got the interview, and now she hopes __________ for the next stage.
9. The company’s success felt like __________, all the efforts paying off at once.
10. He has always been __________, and it helped him land a new contract.
11. __________! You’ve worked so hard and deserve this victory.
12. The whole project was like __________, we worked well together and everything went smoothly.
13. Her unexpected success was like __________, surprising everyone.
14. When everything works out without a hitch, it’s like __________, smooth and easy.
15. Their success was due to __________, it felt like everything was falling into place.
16. We got a great deal on the property, just __________, when the price was reduced unexpectedly.
17. If you’re __________, this opportunity will be yours soon.
18. That lucky break felt like __________, coming out of nowhere and solving all our problems.
19. I felt __________ when I got the job offer after the interview went well.
20. It was __________ when I got the promotion—what a lucky turn of events.
21. Everything went perfectly, as if __________, making the event unforgettable.
22. The promotion was __________, a rare moment of good fortune.
23. __________ for a new business venture!
24. She got that rare painting for a bargain, __________, it was the last one available.
25. __________ for you, getting the project completed ahead of schedule!

Answer Key

1. A lucky day
2. The stars align
3. A lucky charm
4. A stroke of luck
5. Like winning the lottery
6. A stroke of genius
7. A blessing in disguise
8. Good fortune smiles upon you
9. Everything’s coming up roses
10. In the right place at the right time
11. Break a leg
12. Teamwork makes the dream work
13. A twist of fate
14. A feather in your cap
15. Luck of the draw
16. By the luck of the draw
17. In the cards
18. Like winning the lottery
19. A feather in your cap
20. A twist of fate
21. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts
22. A diamond in the rough
23. Fingers crossed
24. A lucky break
25. A stroke of good luck

Conclusion

Good luck plays a crucial role in many aspects of life, and these 25 idioms about good luck offer a creative way to express well wishes, hopes, and the unexpected twists of fortune. From “break a leg” before an important performance to “luck of the draw” when things go your way by chance, these idioms provide a fun and colorful way to wish someone success, recognize a moment of fortune, or describe the unpredictable nature of luck. Additionally, many of these expressions can serve as idioms to give good advice, encouraging individuals to embrace challenges with optimism and resilience. For instance, phrases like “what goes around comes around” remind us of the cyclical nature of fortune and effort. By incorporating these idioms into our conversations, we enrich our language and convey deeper meanings behind our good wishes.

These idioms can be used to enhance your conversations and writing, offering a more dynamic way to convey your hopes for good outcomes or describe a lucky turn of events. Whether you’re wishing someone well or reflecting on your own fortunate situation, these idioms help bring the concept of luck to life. Incorporating these phrases into your dialogue can turn mundane exchanges into lively discussions filled with optimism. For those looking to explore this further, there are 20 expressions that convey hope that can elevate your communication and inspire those around you. By utilizing such idioms, you not only enrich your language but also foster a positive atmosphere in your conversations.