Good luck means having something nice happen by chance. People often talk about luck in fun ways. They use special phrases called idioms. These idioms do not mean exactly what the words say. But people understand them because they are used often.
Idioms about good luck can make talking more fun. You might hear them at school, in a story, or even on TV. When someone says “break a leg” before a play, they don’t mean it for real. They mean “good luck.” Learning these phrases helps you speak better and understand others more. Let’s find out what these idioms really mean and how to use them.
Idioms about Good Luck
1. Break a leg
Meaning: Wish someone good luck
Give an Instance: “Break a leg!” Sarah said to Jake before his play. / I told Emma, “Break a leg!” before her test.
Substitute Meaning: Do great! / Best of luck
2. Knock on wood
Meaning: Hoping something good keeps happening
Give an Instance: I haven’t been sick all year knock on wood. / Dad said, “Knock on wood,” after his team kept winning.
Substitute Meaning: Hope it stays good / Let’s keep the luck
3. Fingers crossed
Meaning: Hoping for something good
Give an Instance: I have my fingers crossed for snow tomorrow. / Fingers crossed that we win the game!
Substitute Meaning: I hope so / Wishing for luck
4. Lucky duck
Meaning: A very lucky person
Give an Instance: She won two prizes what a lucky duck! / You got front row seats? Lucky duck!
Substitute Meaning: Lucky person / So fortunate
5. Born under a lucky star
Meaning: Always seems to have good luck
Give an Instance: He finds money all the time he must be born under a lucky star. / She always gets picked first lucky star!
Substitute Meaning: Naturally lucky / Good fortune from the start
6. Luck of the draw
Meaning: Something that happens by chance
Give an Instance: We sat in front because of the luck of the draw. / I got the last cookie by luck of the draw.
Substitute Meaning: Random luck / Just chance
7. On a lucky streak
Meaning: Having lots of luck over and over
Give an Instance: She’s on a lucky streak three wins today! / I’m on a lucky streak at recess games.
Substitute Meaning: Lots of good luck / Winning again and again
8. Beginner’s luck
Meaning: Doing well the first time
Give an Instance: He scored a goal right away beginner’s luck! / I won my first chess game beginner’s luck!
Substitute Meaning: First-timer’s fortune / Lucky start
9. Hit the jackpot
Meaning: Get something really lucky
Give an Instance: I hit the jackpot with that mystery toy! / We hit the jackpot free pizza!
Substitute Meaning: Big win / Great luck
10. Lady Luck
Meaning: A way to talk about luck like it’s a person
Give an Instance: Lady Luck was on my side today! / No mistakes thanks, Lady Luck!
Substitute Meaning: Good fortune / Lucky help
11. Pot of gold
Meaning: A big reward or lucky find
Give an Instance: I found a $10 bill like a pot of gold! / That candy bag was a pot of gold.
Substitute Meaning: Great surprise / Big win
12. In the right place at the right time
Meaning: Got lucky just by being there
Give an Instance: I was in the right place at the right time to get free ice cream. / She got a picture with the star because she was nearby.
Substitute Meaning: Lucky timing / Good moment
13. Star-crossed
Meaning: Marked by fate (can be good or bad)
Give an Instance: They met by accident maybe they’re star-crossed friends. / Our paths crossed like it was meant to be.
Substitute Meaning: Guided by stars / Meant to happen
14. Roll the dice
Meaning: Take a chance, hope for good luck
Give an Instance: We rolled the dice and tried a new route. / She rolled the dice by guessing on the quiz.
Substitute Meaning: Take a risk / Try and hope
15. A lucky break
Meaning: A sudden good thing that happens
Give an Instance: I got a lucky break when they picked my name! / Finding my lost toy was a lucky break.
Substitute Meaning: Surprise good moment / Chance help
16. Blow on the dice
Meaning: Hoping for luck (like in games)
Give an Instance: He blew on the dice before rolling lucky move! / We all blew on the dice for fun.
Substitute Meaning: Try for luck / Lucky trick
17. Rabbit’s foot
Meaning: A small object people carry for luck
Give an Instance: She kept a rabbit’s foot in her backpack. / My uncle gave me a rabbit’s foot for good luck.
Substitute Meaning: Lucky charm / Small lucky item
18. Four-leaf clover
Meaning: A symbol of good luck
Give an Instance: We found a four-leaf clover in the grass! / Grandma says it brings luck.
Substitute Meaning: Lucky find / Nature’s charm
19. Horseshoe
Meaning: Another sign of luck
Give an Instance: They hung a horseshoe above the door. / I drew a horseshoe in my notebook for luck.
Substitute Meaning: Good sign / Lucky shape
20. Luck be a lady
Meaning: Hoping luck will help
Give an Instance: “Luck be a lady,” Dad said before picking a raffle ticket. / I whispered “luck be a lady” before my turn.
Substitute Meaning: Hope it goes well / Let’s be lucky
21. Thank my lucky stars
Meaning: Feel thankful for good luck
Give an Instance: I thank my lucky stars I didn’t miss the bus. / He thanked his lucky stars for passing the test.
Substitute Meaning: Feel lucky / Be thankful
22. Third time’s a charm
Meaning: You might get lucky on the third try
Give an Instance: I missed twice, but the third time was a charm. / She finally made the basket third time’s a charm!
Substitute Meaning: Got it on the third try / It worked this time
23. Out of the blue
Meaning: Something lucky that happens suddenly
Give an Instance: Out of the blue, we got a snow day! / My cousin called out of the blue with good news.
Substitute Meaning: All of a sudden / Surprise luck
24. Serendipity
Meaning: A happy surprise by chance
Give an Instance: Finding my lost book at the park was serendipity. / Serendipity helped us meet again.
Substitute Meaning: Lucky surprise / Good chance
25. Charm someone’s socks off
Meaning: Win someone’s heart or bring happiness
Give an Instance: He charmed the teacher’s socks off with his smile. / That puppy charmed my socks off.
Substitute Meaning: Very lucky with people / Sweet luck
26. Have the magic touch
Meaning: Always seems to make things go well
Give an Instance: Mom has the magic touch with her garden. / Sarah has the magic touch in art class.
Substitute Meaning: Always works out / Gifted and lucky
27. A turn of good fortune
Meaning: A sudden good change
Give an Instance: Getting a ride home was a turn of good fortune. / It was a turn of good fortune when the rain stopped.
Substitute Meaning: Lucky change / Nice twist
28. Strike it rich
Meaning: Suddenly get a lot of luck or success
Give an Instance: I struck it rich with candy this Halloween! / They struck it rich at the carnival games.
Substitute Meaning: Hit the big time / Got lucky
29. Win hands down
Meaning: Win very easily, maybe with luck
Give an Instance: We won hands down at trivia night. / She won hands down with her awesome project.
Substitute Meaning: Easy win / Strong and lucky win
30. It’s in the cards
Meaning: Something is likely to happen
Give an Instance: I think winning is in the cards today. / Is fun in the cards for this weekend?
Substitute Meaning: Might happen / Could be coming
31. Good things come to those who wait
Meaning: Being patient brings lucky results
Give an Instance: I waited all day, and my turn came good things come to those who wait. / She was patient and got picked.
Substitute Meaning: Patience pays off / Luck finds you
32. Have all the luck
Meaning: Someone who always seems lucky
Give an Instance: You get all the luck front row seats again! / She has all the luck with finding deals.
Substitute Meaning: Always lucky / Gets everything
33. Walk in the sunshine
Meaning: Having a happy, lucky time
Give an Instance: He’s been walking in the sunshine lately so cheerful! / Her week was like walking in sunshine.
Substitute Meaning: Lucky period / Good times
34. Golden opportunity
Meaning: A perfect chance
Give an Instance: This is a golden opportunity to try the new game. / Don’t miss your golden opportunity to shine!
Substitute Meaning: Lucky chance / Best moment
35. Win the lottery
Meaning: Have huge luck
Give an Instance: It felt like I won the lottery when we had no homework. / She found $20 it’s like winning the lottery!
Substitute Meaning: Big surprise win / So lucky
36. Lucky charm
Meaning: Something or someone that brings good luck
Give an Instance: My necklace is my lucky charm. / He says his dog is his lucky charm.
Substitute Meaning: Brings luck / Special item
37. Like finding a needle in a haystack
Meaning: Hard to find, but lucky if you do
Give an Instance: Finding my small earring was like a needle in a haystack. / That toy in the sale bin needle in a haystack!
Substitute Meaning: Rare and lucky / Hard to get
38. Have a lucky penny
Meaning: Keep a coin for good luck
Give an Instance: I carry a lucky penny in my shoe. / Grandpa gave me a lucky penny for school.
Substitute Meaning: Small good-luck item / Special coin
39. Born lucky
Meaning: Always has good luck
Give an Instance: He’s always picked first born lucky! / She’s born lucky, winning every game.
Substitute Meaning: Natural good fortune / Always gets lucky
40. Touch wood
Meaning: Same as “knock on wood”
Give an Instance: I’ve never had a cavity touch wood! / So far so good touch wood.
Substitute Meaning: Hope it stays good / Let it continue
41. Have your lucky stars aligned
Meaning: Everything is going well
Give an Instance: My lucky stars were aligned today perfect day! / She had all her lucky stars lined up on the test.
Substitute Meaning: Everything went right / Stars in place
42. Ride your luck
Meaning: Keep going while luck is strong
Give an Instance: He’s riding his luck this week more wins! / Let’s ride our luck and play again.
Substitute Meaning: Stay lucky / Keep going
43. In luck
Meaning: Something good is happening
Give an Instance: You’re in luck we saved you a seat. / We’re in luck, the store is still open.
Substitute Meaning: Today is lucky / Things went well
44. Good fortune smiled on me
Meaning: Something nice happened by luck
Give an Instance: Good fortune smiled on me I passed the quiz. / The sun came out good fortune smiled on us.
Substitute Meaning: Got lucky / Things went well
45. Stars in your favor
Meaning: Things are going your way
Give an Instance: With the stars in my favor, I got the last cookie. / She had the stars in her favor during the game.
Substitute Meaning: Good luck today / It’s your moment
Find the “Idioms about Good Luck”
Reading Passage
Last Friday, our school had a big spelling bee. Everyone was nervous, but we all hoped for the best. “Break a leg!” Ms. Parker said as we walked to the stage. I crossed my fingers and touched wood, hoping I’d do well.
Right before it was my turn, my friend Sam whispered, “You’ve got your lucky stars aligned.” That made me smile. When I got my first word right, it felt like I hit the jackpot. “Beginner’s luck,” someone said from the crowd. Maybe they were right I’d never made it this far before!
Later, when Emma missed a hard word, she said, “Third time’s a charm,” and tried again. She got it! Some kids had rabbit’s feet or lucky pennies in their pockets. Others just hoped Lady Luck would help them.
At the end, we all clapped as Maya won. “Wow,” I said, “She’s a lucky duck!” Maya grinned and said, “Guess my stars were in my favor today.”
Directions for Students
Read the story again. Underline or list all the idioms about good luck that you can find.
Answer Key
- Break a leg
- Crossed my fingers
- Touched wood
- Lucky stars aligned
- Hit the jackpot
- Beginner’s luck
- Third time’s a charm
- Rabbit’s feet
- Lady Luck
- Lucky duck
- Stars were in my favor
Conclusion
Idioms about good luck are fun and helpful. They make stories more interesting and show how people feel when something nice happens by surprise. You don’t need to be lucky to use them you just need to know what they mean.
These phrases help you talk like native speakers. You might hear them at school, in games, or during special times. Try using them when someone needs a boost or when something lucky happens to you. They’re simple, but they say a lot.
