Sometimes, things just go right. You might find a dollar on the ground or win a prize at school. That’s called good luck. People often talk about luck using special phrases called idioms. These idioms don’t mean exactly what the words say. They have a different meaning that helps us understand the idea better.
For example, someone might say, “Break a leg!” before a play. They don’t want you to get hurt it’s just a lucky way to say “Do well!” In this article, we’ll learn many idioms people use when something lucky happens. You’ll see what each one means and how you can use it in real life. Idioms can make your talking and writing more fun and colorful. Let’s get started.
Idioms about Good Luck
1. Break a leg
Meaning: Good luck, often said before a performance.
Within a Sentence: “Break a leg at your dance show!” / “He told me to break a leg before the test.”
In Other Words: Do your best! / I hope you do great.
2. Knock on wood
Meaning: Said to keep good luck going.
Within a Sentence: “I’ve never been late knock on wood!” / “She hasn’t been sick all year, knock on wood.”
In Other Words: I hope it stays this way. / Let’s hope nothing bad happens.
3. Luck of the draw
Meaning: Good luck from chance, not skill.
Within a Sentence: “He got the last cookie it was just the luck of the draw.” / “I got front row seats by the luck of the draw.”
In Other Words: It was just random. / I was lucky.
4. On a roll
Meaning: Having a lot of good luck in a row.
Within a Sentence: “She’s on a roll three wins in a row!” / “I answered every question right. I’m on a roll!”
In Other Words: Things keep going my way. / I’m doing great.
5. Hit the jackpot
Meaning: Get something very lucky or valuable.
Within a Sentence: “I hit the jackpot with this gift!” / “He hit the jackpot when he found $20.”
In Other Words: I got really lucky. / What a great find!
6. Lucky duck
Meaning: A very lucky person.
Within a Sentence: “You found a phone on sale? You lucky duck!” / “She’s a lucky duck to win twice.”
In Other Words: You’re really lucky. / That’s great for you.
7. Born under a lucky star
Meaning: Always seems to have good luck.
Within a Sentence: “He always wins games must be born under a lucky star.” / “She never gets caught born under a lucky star.”
In Other Words: Always lucky. / Things go well for them.
8. Chance of a lifetime
Meaning: A very special lucky opportunity.
Within a Sentence: “Going to the Super Bowl was the chance of a lifetime.” / “Meeting the author was a chance of a lifetime.”
In Other Words: Something really special. / A rare lucky event.
9. Third time’s the charm
Meaning: You might get lucky after trying two times.
Within a Sentence: “I missed twice, but third time’s the charm!” / “He finally got it the third time’s the charm.”
In Other Words: Try again it might work this time. / It finally worked.
10. A lucky break
Meaning: Something good that happens by surprise.
Within a Sentence: “I had a lucky break the test was easy!” / “Getting picked was a lucky break.”
In Other Words: Something lucky happened. / I got a nice surprise.
11. Cross your fingers
Meaning: Hope for good luck.
Within a Sentence: “Cross your fingers I get the part!” / “She crossed her fingers before opening the envelope.”
In Other Words: Let’s hope it goes well. / Wishing for luck.
12. In the right place at the right time
Meaning: Being somewhere lucky at the perfect moment.
Within a Sentence: “He got free pizza just in the right place at the right time!” / “I found a dollar perfect timing!”
In Other Words: Right place, right moment. / Just lucky.
13. Stroke of luck
Meaning: A sudden lucky thing.
Within a Sentence: “Finding my lost book was a stroke of luck.” / “The sunny weather was a stroke of luck.”
In Other Words: A lucky moment. / Lucky surprise.
14. Blessing in disguise
Meaning: Something that looks bad at first but turns out lucky.
Within a Sentence: “Missing the bus was a blessing in disguise it broke down later.” / “Not getting picked helped me study more.”
In Other Words: It worked out better. / A hidden good thing.
15. Lucky charm
Meaning: A thing that brings good luck.
Within a Sentence: “This coin is my lucky charm.” / “She always wears her lucky socks to games.”
In Other Words: A good-luck object. / Something that helps.
16. Fortunate turn
Meaning: A change that brings good luck.
Within a Sentence: “The sunny weather was a fortunate turn.” / “He got a ride just in time a lucky turn!”
In Other Words: Something lucky happened. / It worked out well.
17. Out of the blue
Meaning: Something lucky happens by surprise.
Within a Sentence: “Out of the blue, I got a prize.” / “She got a job offer out of the blue.”
In Other Words: Totally unexpected. / A surprise.
18. Riding high
Meaning: Feeling lucky and successful.
Within a Sentence: “He’s riding high after winning the race.” / “She’s riding high with all those good grades.”
In Other Words: Feeling proud and lucky. / Doing really well.
19. Green light
Meaning: Getting permission or a lucky chance to move forward.
Within a Sentence: “We got the green light for the field trip!” / “The teacher gave me the green light to present first.”
In Other Words: It’s your turn. / You’re allowed to go.
20. Good fortune
Meaning: Something very lucky.
Within a Sentence: “She had the good fortune to meet the mayor.” / “It was good fortune we found a shortcut.”
In Other Words: Lucky moment. / Great luck.
21. Like finding a needle in a haystack
Meaning: Finding something rare or lucky.
Within a Sentence: “Winning that prize was like finding a needle in a haystack.” / “It’s like finding a needle in a haystack to get picked!”
In Other Words: Very rare. / Hard to get lucky like that.
22. Thank your lucky stars
Meaning: Be thankful for your good luck.
Within a Sentence: “Thank your lucky stars you didn’t miss the bus!” / “I thanked my lucky stars I passed the test.”
In Other Words: I was thankful. / That was good luck.
23. Walk in lucky shoes
Meaning: Someone very lucky.
Within a Sentence: “She walks in lucky shoes everything goes right.” / “You must be walking in lucky shoes today!”
In Other Words: Always lucky. / Things go well for you.
24. Land on your feet
Meaning: Come out fine, even after problems.
Within a Sentence: “He lost his homework but landed on his feet with extra time.” / “She always lands on her feet.”
In Other Words: It still worked out. / She’s lucky and smart.
25. Run of luck
Meaning: A series of lucky things.
Within a Sentence: “He’s had a run of luck three wins this week.” / “My run of luck started on Monday.”
In Other Words: Lots of good luck in a row.
26. Play your cards right
Meaning: If you make good choices, you’ll get lucky.
Within a Sentence: “If you play your cards right, you might win.” / “Play your cards right and you’ll be the star.”
In Other Words: Do it wisely, and luck will help. / Make smart moves.
27. Walk in sunshine
Meaning: Life feels lucky and happy.
Within a Sentence: “After winning, he walked in sunshine all day.” / “Her smile said she was walking in sunshine.”
In Other Words: Feeling lucky and bright. / Happy day.
28. Stroke of good fortune
Meaning: A moment of sudden luck.
Within a Sentence: “It was a stroke of good fortune I brought an umbrella.” / “Getting there early was a stroke of good fortune.”
In Other Words: Good timing. / A helpful surprise.
29. Flip of a coin
Meaning: Luck decided what happened.
Within a Sentence: “We picked teams by a flip of a coin.” / “It’s just a flip of a coin if we win.”
In Other Words: Left to chance. / Pure luck.
30. Star is shining
Meaning: Good things are happening.
Within a Sentence: “Your star is shining you won again!” / “His star is shining this week.”
In Other Words: He’s really lucky now. / Things are going well.
31. Have all the luck
Meaning: Always seems to have good luck.
Within a Sentence: “He has all the luck another free ticket!” / “She always wins she has all the luck.”
In Other Words: Everything goes her way. / He’s super lucky.
32. Pull a rabbit out of a hat
Meaning: Do something amazing or lucky, like magic.
Within a Sentence: “She pulled a rabbit out of a hat with that answer!” / “He pulled a rabbit out of a hat and won.”
In Other Words: Did something great. / Got lucky just in time.
33. Four-leaf clover
Meaning: A sign of good luck.
Within a Sentence: “Finding a four-leaf clover means good luck.” / “He kept it as a lucky four-leaf clover.”
In Other Words: Something lucky. / A lucky symbol.
34. Touch of luck
Meaning: A small amount of luck.
Within a Sentence: “With a touch of luck, we’ll win this time.” / “It was a touch of luck that helped me finish.”
In Other Words: A little luck helped. / Just enough good luck.
35. Wish upon a star
Meaning: Make a wish and hope for luck.
Within a Sentence: “She wished upon a star for a puppy.” / “I wish upon a star to get an A.”
In Other Words: Hoping for something lucky. / Make a wish.
36. Just my luck
Meaning: Can mean something good or bad happening based on your usual luck.
Within a Sentence: “Just my luck to win when I didn’t try!” / “Just my luck it rained on field day.”
In Other Words: What a surprise! / That’s typical for me.
37. Make your own luck
Meaning: Do things well and luck will follow.
Within a Sentence: “She studied hard and made her own luck.” / “Work hard and make your own luck.”
In Other Words: Create your good chances.
38. Star-crossed luck
Meaning: A strange or fated kind of luck.
Within a Sentence: “They met by star-crossed luck.” / “It was star-crossed luck we sat together.”
In Other Words: Meant to happen. / A rare chance.
39. Golden touch
Meaning: Everything turns out well.
Within a Sentence: “He has the golden touch with games.” / “Her golden touch helped the team win.”
In Other Words: Always successful. / Things go right.
40. As lucky as a penny in your shoe
Meaning: A cute way to say someone is lucky.
Within a Sentence: “You’re as lucky as a penny in your shoe today!” / “He’s as lucky as a penny in his shoe he found the missing toy.”
In Other Words: Very lucky. / A happy surprise.
41. Like winning the lottery
Meaning: Very rare and lucky event.
Within a Sentence: “Getting that role was like winning the lottery.” / “Finding my toy in the trash like winning the lottery!”
In Other Words: Super lucky. / A rare win.
42. Fortune smiles on you
Meaning: Luck is on your side.
Within a Sentence: “Fortune smiled on her during the contest.” / “He got a ride fortune smiled on him.”
In Other Words: She had good luck. / A lucky break.
43. Lady Luck is on your side
Meaning: You’re having good luck today.
Within a Sentence: “Lady Luck was on my side during the spelling bee.” / “He guessed right every time Lady Luck was with him.”
In Other Words: I got lucky today. / Good things are happening.
44. Win hands down
Meaning: To win easily, often with luck and skill.
Within a Sentence: “He won hands down at trivia.” / “She won hands down at the race.”
In Other Words: She won easily. / He had an easy win.
45. Roll the dice
Meaning: Take a chance and hope for good luck.
Within a Sentence: “I rolled the dice and joined the team.” / “He rolled the dice and guessed the answer.”
In Other Words: Took a chance. / Hoped for luck.
46. Like catching lightning in a bottle
Meaning: Something very rare and lucky.
Within a Sentence: “Winning both prizes? That’s like catching lightning in a bottle.” / “It’s like catching lightning in a bottle so rare!”
In Other Words: Once in a lifetime. / Really lucky.
47. Luck be a lady
Meaning: A phrase used to hope for good luck.
Within a Sentence: “Luck be a lady tonight I need a win.” / “He said, ‘Luck be a lady,’ before the race.”
In Other Words: Hope luck is kind. / A wish for good fortune.
48. A rabbit’s foot
Meaning: A thing that brings good luck.
Within a Sentence: “He carries a rabbit’s foot for luck.” / “She keeps her rabbit’s foot in her backpack.”
In Other Words: Lucky item. / A charm.
49. Fall into your lap
Meaning: Get something good without trying.
Within a Sentence: “The prize just fell into her lap!” / “That new toy deal fell into his lap.”
In Other Words: Got lucky without doing much.
50. Turn up roses
Meaning: Things end up going well.
Within a Sentence: “It all turned up roses in the end.” / “His day turned up roses after the surprise gift.”
In Other Words: Ended happily. / Good things happened.
51. Wink of luck
Meaning: A small moment of good luck.
Within a Sentence: “I had a wink of luck with my guess.” / “She got there in a wink of luck.”
In Other Words: A tiny lucky moment.
52. Charm your way
Meaning: Use personality and luck to get good things.
Within a Sentence: “He charmed his way into the lead role.” / “She charmed her way into the group.”
In Other Words: Used charm and luck. / Got in nicely.
53. Ride your luck
Meaning: Keep going while your luck lasts.
Within a Sentence: “Ride your luck you’re winning!” / “He’s riding his luck this week.”
In Other Words: Stay lucky while it lasts.
54. With bells on
Meaning: Happily and ready, often lucky timing.
Within a Sentence: “She arrived with bells on and got the prize!” / “He showed up with bells on and got picked first.”
In Other Words: Happy and lucky to be there.
55. In your favor
Meaning: Things are going your way.
Within a Sentence: “The coin toss came out in our favor.” / “The weather was in our favor today.”
In Other Words: It worked for us. / Good luck helped.
56. Star in your pocket
Meaning: Carrying good luck with you.
Within a Sentence: “She must have a star in her pocket.” / “He played like he had a star in his pocket.”
In Other Words: She’s lucky today. / He’s shining.
57. Hit it big
Meaning: To get very lucky and succeed.
Within a Sentence: “He hit it big in the science fair.” / “She hit it big with her art.”
In Other Words: Big win. / Great result.
58. A door opens
Meaning: A lucky chance shows up.
Within a Sentence: “When I got that invite, a door opened.” / “Getting that email opened a door for me.”
In Other Words: A new chance came. / Good luck gave me an opening.
59. Picked out of a hat
Meaning: Chosen randomly and luckily.
Within a Sentence: “I got picked out of a hat for the prize.” / “She was picked out of a hat for line leader.”
In Other Words: Random choice. / Lucky draw.
60. Light at the end of the tunnel
Meaning: After hard times, something good happens.
Within a Sentence: “Getting an A felt like light at the end of the tunnel.” / “The vacation was the light at the end of the tunnel.”
In Other Words: Things got better. / Good things came.
True/False Quiz: Idioms About Good Luck
- Saying “Break a leg” means you want someone to fall.
- “Knock on wood” is said to keep good luck going.
- “Hit the jackpot” means you did something boring
- If you’re “on a roll,” good things keep happening.
- “Third time’s the charm” means you should give up after trying twice.
- A “lucky duck” is someone who is often unlucky.
- If something is “a blessing in disguise,” it looked bad but turned out good.
- “Cross your fingers” means you hope something goes well.
- “Win hands down” means the win was very hard and took forever.
- “Out of the blue” means something happened without warning.
- If someone says “thank your lucky stars,” they are telling you to be thankful for good luck.
- “Land on your feet” means things turned out fine after trouble.
- A “lucky charm” is something that brings bad luck.
- “Play your cards right” means make smart choices and good things might happen.
- “A door opens” means a new lucky chance shows up.
Answer Key
- False
- True
- False
- True
- False
- False
- True
- True
- False
- True
- True
- True
- False
- True
- True
Scoring Guide
- 15 Correct Answers: Idioms Master!
- 10–14 Correct Answers: You really get Good Luck Idioms nice work!
- 6–9 Correct Answers: You’re learning keep going!
- 0–5 Correct Answers: Let’s learn about Good Luck Idioms together!
Conclusion
Idioms make language more fun. When people talk about good luck, they use special phrases to help show how they feel. These sayings don’t always mean what the words look like, but they tell a bigger story.
Now you know lots of idioms about luck. You can try using them when something lucky happens. These phrases make your writing and speaking more exciting. Keep practicing, and you’ll use them like a pro.