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.

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.